Within Puranas the water of Naina Jheel is considered as holy as Mansarovar. At the corner of Naini Jheel is Shree Maa Naina Devi Temple – one of the Shakti Peetha among 51 Shakti Peethas of India.

It is mentioned within Puranas that Sage Atri, Pulsatya, and Pulah meditated within this valley. It is believed Nainital was created from the left eye of Devi Sati. Sati’s father Daksh Prajapati once organized a grand havan but didn’t invite his son-in-law Lord Shiva. Thus, Sati – the wife of Lord Shiva was very upset and with the wish to be born again to be the wife of Lord Shiva immolate herself by jumping into the havan. This frightful incident shocked Lord Shiva. He left all his duties and with the charred body of Sati started roaming the universe aimlessly. Due to this the balance of the universe was in trouble. Then Lord Vishnu – preserver of the universe with his Sudarshana Chakra cut the charred body of Sati into pieces and relieved Lord Shiva from pain and agony. The parts of Sati’s body fell in many places and later was known as Shakti Peetha. The left eye of Sati fell at Nainital thus picturesque lake was created.

19th century when Nainital was discovered Shri Motiram Shah whose constructed house Pilgrim Cottage known as the first house of Nainital constructed Shree Maa Naina Devi Temple at the corner of the lake. This temple was existing earlier somewhere in the middle of current Boat House Club Capital Cinema. 1880 the devastating earthquake and temple was destroyed. It is said Naina Devi appeared in the dream of Shri Amarnath Shah – son of Motiram Shah and narrated the location where the deity was present within the rubble. Motiram Shah along with friends and relatives discovered the deity and re-constructed the temple. The temple was finally completed in the year 1883.

After the demise of Amarnath Shah his son Udaynath Shah and then grandson Shri Rajendra Nath Shah was taking care of the temple. 21st July 1984 Shree Maa Naina Devi Mandir Amar Uday Trust was registered. Shri Rajendra Nath Shah handed over care to the trust. There are 40 members within the trust.

Naina Devi Temple Timings

Summer: 5:15 am – 9:00 pm / Winter: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Green-backed Tit – This photo was taken at Birding and Wildlife Trails, Himalayan Botanical Garden in Nainital (Uttarakhand).

Kafal – Fruit – This photo was taken at Mall Road in Nainital (Uttarakhand).

Green Plums – This photo was taken at Mall Road in Nainital (Uttarakhand).

The bird is a Verditer Flycatcher – Male – The photo was taken at Niglat, Bhowali in Nainital, (Uttarakhand).

During the birding trail in the Himalayan Botanic Garden 7 km from Nainital on Kaladungi road, I received the Uttarakhand Forest Department brochure via tour guide that talks about Common Birds of Nainital via Photos (by Amit Verma, IFS) and Birding Sites in Nainital. Yes, I would like to visit but as of now, I would like to share the Birding Sites in Nainital because many are interested to know to visit. Correct?

Birding Sites of Nainital

• Nainital Zoo Forest
• Snow View
• Governor’s House
• Tanki to Naina Peak
• Barapather to Land’s End
• Barapathar to Tiffin Top
• Barapather to Himalayan Botanic Garden
• Birding Trail in Himalayan Botanic Garden
• Birding Trail in Lingdhar
• Kilbury to Pangot (On-Road)
• Kilbury to Pangot (Trek through Forest)
• Kilbury to Naina Peak
• Vinayak
• Brahmasthali
• Kunjakharak
• Saattal
• Patwadangar-Kalona-Jyolikote
• Hanumangarhi

Thank you tour guide, Thank you Uttarakhand Forest Department, and Thank you, Amit Ji.