According to legend, Prajapati Daksha once called for a Yajna. He invited all other gods except Lord Shiva. Sati, so called daughter of Prajapati Daksha felt too much humiliated at this behaviour of her father.
To avenge this, she burnt herself alive in the fire of the havankund. Shiva became too much ferocious at this event of Sati. He picked Sati`s corpse and gyrated his horrified dance. To save the earth from Shiva`s wrath, Lord Vishnu cut Sati`s body into fifty-one pieces by his Sudarshan Chakra. The places where these pieces fell are known as the `Shakti Peeths`. It is believed that Sati`s eye fell at the place where this temple is situated. So, the other name of this temple is Naina Devi.
This temple, located sixty kilometers from Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most highly venerated temples of India. This temple is situated at the top of Naina hillock in Nainital. The temple celebrates numerous festivities, including Navratri, Sravan, Durga Maha Ashtami, Dusshera and Diwali. Kiratpur Sahib and Anandpur Sahib Railway Stations are the nearest railheads. The temple also lies in close proximity to NH 21. After getting down at the temple bus stand, worshippers can reach the temple either by ropeway or by foot. Easy accommodation facilities are also available at the Naina Devi Temple. Thousands of pilgrims assemble in the temple every year around the month of September to worship Goddess Parvati.
