Nanda Devi Festival Begins in Nainital
Devotees Flock to Maa Naina Devi Temple
The Nanda Devi Festival has started in Nainital, Uttarakhand, following traditional customs. The festival began with the consecration of idols of Maa Nanda-Sunanda at the Maa Naina Devi Temple during Brahma Muhurta. The idols are now open for public viewing, and devotees have been arriving since early morning to see Maa Nanda-Sunanda.
The festival marks the return of Kumaon’s Kul Devi, Maa Nanda-Sunanda, to her maternal home in Kumaon. According to local beliefs, Maa Nanda-Sunanda visits her maternal home once a year, and today’s celebration symbolizes her arrival. Following the Pran Pratishtha ritual at the Maa Naina Devi Temple, the idols are displayed for devotees to pay their respects.
A large number of devotees began gathering at the temple complex as early as 3 am today to seek darshan of Maa Nanda-Sunanda. Devotees from all over are arriving in large numbers to participate in the celebrations.
Mukesh Joshi Mantu, a member of the Ram Sevak Sabha, said, “Maa Nanda-Sunanda is worshipped as Kul Devi in Kumaon. During the era of the Chand kings, they worshipped Maa Nanda-Sunanda as Kul Devi, and this tradition continues today across the Kumaon region. It is believed that Maa Nanda and Sunanda visit their maternal home, Kumaon, once a year.”
Yashoda Bhakt and Mohit Sah Bhakt, devotees, shared similar sentiments, underlining the importance of the festival for Kumaon’s residents.
The festival will continue for the next three days and will conclude with a grand Dola Yatra. The idols of Maa Nanda-Sunanda will then be immersed in Naini Lake, marking her return to her in-laws’ home. This tradition of immersion symbolizes the departure of Maa Nanda-Sunanda from her maternal home back to her in-laws’ house.
Doubts Revealed
Nanda Devi Festival -: The Nanda Devi Festival is a traditional celebration in Uttarakhand, India, honoring the goddess Nanda Devi. It involves rituals, prayers, and cultural events.
Nainital -: Nainital is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is known for its beautiful lakes and scenic views.
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, famous for its natural beauty, including the Himalayas, rivers, and forests.
Maa Naina Devi Temple -: The Maa Naina Devi Temple is a sacred Hindu temple in Nainital, dedicated to the goddess Naina Devi, an incarnation of the goddess Parvati.
Maa Nanda-Sunanda idols -: Maa Nanda-Sunanda idols are statues representing the goddesses Nanda and Sunanda, who are worshipped during the Nanda Devi Festival.
Devotees -: Devotees are people who are very dedicated to their religion and come to worship and pray at temples and during festivals.
Kumaon’s Kul Devi -: Kumaon’s Kul Devi refers to the family goddess of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi is considered the protective deity of this area.
Dola Yatra -: Dola Yatra is a traditional procession where the idols of deities are carried around the town or village, accompanied by music and dance.
Naini Lake -: Naini Lake is a beautiful, natural freshwater lake in Nainital, which is a major tourist attraction and holds cultural significance.