Naina Devi Temple
A revered Shakti Peeth on the northern shore of Naini Lake, marking the spot where the eyes — naina — of the goddess Sati are believed to have fallen. Its bells, its old banyan and its lake-side setting make it the spiritual heart of Nainital.
The Shakti Peeth on the lake
By legend, when Sati's body was borne across the heavens, her eyes fell here — giving both the lake its name, Naini, and this temple its deity, Naina Devi. It is counted among the Shakti Peeths, the sacred sites of the goddess, and stands at the Mallital end of the lake beneath an old banyan tree.
The present temple was rebuilt after a landslide in 1880 and enshrines two eyes representing the goddess, flanked by Mata Kali and Lord Ganesha. Mornings and evenings bring aarti, bells and a steady flow of pilgrims along the lake shore.
At the temple and around the lake
The Naina Devi shrine
The lake-side sanctum with its two sacred eyes, garlanded and alive with morning prayer.
Aarti by the lake
Bells, lamps and chanting at dawn and dusk — the temple at its most moving.
Nanda Ashtami fair
The great September festival, when Nainital fills for days of processions and worship.
Naini Lake boating
Row out from beside the temple across the emerald water — the classic Nainital hour.
The Flats & Mall Road
The lake-side promenade and open ground right by the temple, best walked at dusk.
Lake-side neighbours
A gurudwara and an old church share the northern shore with the temple at Mallital.
Getting there
About 22 km via Bhowali — roughly an hour. Park free at Blessed Aura and take a local cab to avoid Nainital's parking crush by the lake.
Darshan & etiquette
Remove footwear before the shrine and dress modestly. Early mornings are calm; weekends and the September fair are very busy.
Good to know
The temple sits at the Mallital end of the lake — an easy walk along the Mall. Combine it with a boat ride and the market in one gentle outing.
Make Blessed Aura your base
Reach the lake and its temple before the day-trippers — stay 22 km away at Blessed Aura and arrive with the morning aarti.