Naina Mata Festival 2025 - Fri 25 July- The 3 Aug 2024

 The word Naina is synonymous with Sati’s eyes. The temple of Naina Devi is situated on the top of a hill of Nainital named Naina hill. The Naina Devi Temple is an important pilgrimage and attracts thousands of devotees from far and near every year. There is a myth behind this beautiful place about goddess Sati or Parvati. There is a beautiful lake too known as Naina Lake. It’s said this lake this is the two blue eyes of goddess Naina.

The Naina Mata Festival is a significant cultural and religious event in India, particularly in the Himachal Pradesh region. It's dedicated to Naina Mata, a revered goddess in the local tradition. The festival is celebrated with great fervor, involving various rituals, processions, and community activities.
During August or September a large fair is organized to celebrate the importance of goddess Naina and so the Naina Mata Festival. During the time of fair people of this place adorn their houses and shops to celebrate this festival. In this Naina Devi Fair folk cultural programs are organized. People perform folk music and folk dances. The fair lasts fort eight days and all the days and nights during it are celebrated with joy and delight along with the religious sentiments.

The main attractions of the festival often include:

1. Rituals and Pujas: Devotees perform traditional rituals and offer prayers to Naina Mata, seeking her blessings.
2. Processions: There are vibrant processions featuring decorated floats, music, and dance.
3. Local Cuisine: Special foods and sweets are prepared for the festival, adding to the communal spirit.
4. Cultural Performances: Traditional music and dance performances are a highlight, showcasing local culture and traditions.

Once the devotee reaches the hill top, they buy offerings from various shops located just outside the temple. After crossing the main gate, there is a huge Banyan tree. On the right side of the temple there are idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha. After reaching the main entrance of the temple, there are two statues of lions. Inside there is the idol of Naina Devi having two large eyes.The Naina Devi Temple has a legend behind it. Sati, the daughter of Raja Daksh was a great devotee of Shiva. She performed extreme prayers and rituals and got married to Shiva. Daksh always envied Shiva and he insulted the latter by not inviting him to the ceremony where all other deities were invited.

The celebration of the Naina Mata Festival involves several vibrant and traditional activities. Here’s a general outline of how the festival is celebrated:

1. Preparation and Decoration: Before the festival, homes and temples are adorned with colorful decorations, including flowers and lights. Special altars are set up for the deity.

2. Processions: On the main day of the festival, grand processions are organized. Devotees and priests carry the idol or image of Naina Mata through the streets on decorated floats, accompanied by music, drums, and traditional dances.

3. Pujas and Rituals: Various rituals and ceremonies are performed at temples dedicated to Naina Mata. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets are made to the deity. Devotees may also participate in fasting or other spiritual practices.

4. Cultural Performances: Traditional music and dance performances are held, showcasing local art forms. These performances often involve vibrant costumes and energetic choreography.

5. Community Feasts: Special meals are prepared and shared among the community. This is a time for people to come together, enjoy traditional foods, and celebrate the festival’s communal spirit.

6. Fair and Market: In some areas, a fair or market is organized where vendors sell crafts, clothes, and food items. It adds to the festive atmosphere and provides entertainment for visitors.

7. Religious Observances: Devotees often visit temples, participate in group prayers, and engage in acts of charity and service as part of their spiritual observance.

To avenge this insult to her husband Sati jumped into sacrificial bonfire. Mourning the death of his beloved wife, furious Shiva picked he corpse and gyrated his horrified dance. Lord Vishnu had to unleash his Chakra and cut Sati s body into fifty one pieces to save the earth from Shiva s wrath. All the fifty one places - where parts of Sati's body fell, became known as Shakti Peeths It is believed that Sati s eyes fell at the place where this temple is situated. Therefore, this temple is called Naina Devi.