The Goddess Naina Devi is worshipped
as a single selfborn pindi. There is another pindi of Ganesha and a third
established by the Pandavas. This is believed to be the 'shakti pita'
where Sati's eye fell. Naina means eye. The temple is also known
as Mahishapitha because of it's association with Mahishasur.
This area was the capital of Mahishasur. Mahishasur was given a boon
by Brahma, the creator, that he could only be defeated by a maiden.
His story is a major section in the Devi Mahatmya and can be found in greater
detail in the Devi Bhagavata Purana. He enslaved the Gods and made
life impossible for the righteous people of that time. To save themselves
the Deva's got together and combined their shakti's (Goddess power within
them) to create a new Devi powerful enough to defeat him. She stationed
Herself on a nearby hill called Mahishapith. Hearing of Her unearthly
beauty Mahishasur wanted to marry the Divine maiden. She agreed to
the marriage on the condition that he could defeat Her in battle. She
defeated his armies and finally Mahishasur himself. She plucked out
both his eyes and gave his skull to Brahma. The Gods showered Her
with flowers and cried out "Jay Naina" and hence Her name.
Another story claims that a cowherd named Naina, found a cow dripping milk
onto a pindi with eyes on it. That night Devi Ma appeared to the cowherd
in a dream and told him that the pindi was Her own form. He was told that
he should build a temple there and worship the pindi. He did so and later
a larger temple was built.
Darshan of holy pindi.
Naina Devi temple.