Pilgrimage Tours
Photo: Gurlal Maan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped
Shri Naina Devi Ji is a hilltop shrine in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas — the sites where, in the Puranic account, parts of Sati's body fell as Shiva carried her. Here tradition holds that her eyes fell, which is why the goddess is worshipped as Naina Devi, and the temple is also called Mahishapeeth for her victory over the demon Mahishasura. Its founding is credited to Raja Bir Chand, the ruler who established the hill state of Kahlur that later became Bilaspur. The temple stands at roughly 1,200 m, and the walk up ends on an open ridge looking down over the Gobind Sagar reservoir and the Bhakra dam — the view most pilgrims remember alongside the darshan.
March to June and September to November are the easiest months: the road up is clear, the air is comfortable, and the Gobind Sagar view is not lost to cloud. If you want the shrine at its most alive, come during Chaitra Navratri (Mar-Apr), Shravan Ashtami (Jul-Aug) or Ashwin Navratri (Sep-Oct), when large fairs are held and pilgrims arrive in very large numbers from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Be honest with yourself about this — Shravan Ashtami in particular is punishingly crowded, with long standing waits in the heat, and elders travelling for a quiet darshan are far better served by an ordinary weekday outside festival season. The monsoon months bring heavy rain and slippery steps on the hill approach.
The nearest airport is Chandigarh, about 100 km away by road. The nearest railhead is Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, roughly 25-30 km from the temple, with taxis available there; Kiratpur Sahib is a little further at about 30 km. By road the shrine is around 350 km from Delhi and about 100 km from Chandigarh, with regular state transport buses from towns across Punjab and Himachal. The last stretch is a winding hill road to the Naina Devi bus stand, from where you cover the final ascent on foot, by palki, or on the cable car that runs from the base of the hill to the top.
The shrine is on a hilltop and the last stage is a climb — a flight of concrete steps from the road head to the temple. Elders and anyone with knee or heart trouble should plan for the ropeway, or arrange a palki, rather than assuming they can walk it. Cable car and temple timings are set by the temple board and can change on fair days, so confirm with the temple before you travel. On festival days the crowd on the ridge is genuinely heavy; keep children close and do not attempt it with someone frail.
Planned around you, not a fixed departure. Holiday Vibez arranges pilgrimages to Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur for families, elders and temple groups travelling from Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Madurai. Tell us your dates and how many are coming — we build the route around that. 100% customisable.
- Stays near the shrine — so elders aren't driven back and forth at 4am.
- Private transfers — pick-up from your door, not a meeting point.
- Meals that suit the group — including pure-veg and fasting requirements.
- Group travel — 4 people or 40, one coordinator, one itinerary.
- Someone on the phone — when you're in a queue three states from home.
Temple boards run their own darshan queues and quotas. No travel agent can sell you a special one, and agencies that promise "VIP darshan" are either misleading you or breaking the trust's rules. We help you book the official slots and we get everything else right.
Most of the people we send on yatra are over 55, or booking for parents who are. We plan shorter driving days, stays within walking distance where the shrine allows it, and we'll tell you honestly if a site involves a long climb or a trek before you pay — not after.
Is Naina Devi one of the Shakti Peethas?
Yes. It is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas, and tradition holds that the eyes of Sati fell at this spot — which is where the name Naina Devi comes from. It is also known as Mahishapeeth.
Is there a ropeway, and do we still have to climb?
Yes, a cable car runs from the base of the hill to the top and is the sensible option for elders. There are still some steps at either end, so it reduces the climb rather than removing it entirely. Palkis are also available at the bus stand. Check operating hours with the temple before you plan the day.
Can Naina Devi be combined with Anandpur Sahib or Chintpurni?
Yes, both are commonly done on the same trip. Anandpur Sahib is only about 25-30 km away and is also the nearest railhead, and many families continue on to Chintpurni and the other Himachal Shakti shrines. Allow a full day for the Naina Devi leg alone if you are travelling with elders.
Plan your Naina Devi Temple yatra
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