Naina Devi Shakti Peetha: Pilgrimage Heritage Bilaspur

The Naina Devi temple atop a hill in Bilaspur district is another of the 51 Shakti Peethas believed to be where Sati's eyes (Naina = eyes) fell. The hilltop temple complex with commanding views of the Shivalik ranges and Gobind Sagar lake draws millions of pilgrims annually making it one of Himachal Pradesh's most visited temples. The ropeway connecting the base to the hilltop temple has made the pilgrimage accessible to elderly and disabled devotees. Traditional festival celebrations during Navratri transform the temple area into a major fair with folk performances, craft markets, and devotional gatherings. The temple's hereditary priest families maintain specific ritual traditions and oral traditions connecting the site to goddess mythology going back centuries.