Nanda Devi Festival Kicks Off in Nainital with Traditional Rituals

The Nanda Devi Festival has commenced in Nainital, honoring the traditional customs. Devotees gathered early at the Maa Naina Devi Temple for idol consecration. The festival celebrates the annual return of Maa Nanda-Sunanda to Kumaon and will conclude with a grand Dola Yatra and idol immersion in Naini Lake.

Nainital is alive with festivity as the Nanda Devi Festival commences, adhering to age-old customs. The event began with the consecration of Maa Nanda-Sunanda idols at the Maa Naina Devi Temple during Brahma Muhurta.

The idols have been made available for public viewing, attracting devotees since early morning. The festival marks Kumaon's Kul Devi, Maa Nanda-Sunanda, returning to her maternal home in Kumaon. According to tradition, Maa Nanda-Sunanda visits Kumaon once a year, and today signifies her arrival.

Following the Pran Pratishtha ritual, the idols are on display for devotees to offer their respects. A substantial number of devotees started gathering at the temple as early as 3 am for darshan. Mukesh Joshi Mantu, a Ram Sevak Sabha member, stated, 'Maa Nanda-Sunanda is revered as Kul Devi in Kumaon, a practice dating back to the Chand kings' era and still observed today.'

Devotees Yashoda Bhakt and Mohit Sah Bhakt echoed the festival's significance for Kumaon's people. The three-day event will culminate with a grand Dola Yatra, followed by the immersion of Maa Nanda-Sunanda idols in Naini Lake, symbolizing her return to her in-laws' home.

(With inputs from agencies.)