The temple is dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi, the patron goddess of the Chand Dynasty. She is believed to be the destroyer of evil. Nanda Devi temple dates back to 11th century and is built in Kumaoni-style architecture within the premises of a Shiva temple. The idol of the goddess Nanda is a huge monument with a stone crown encircled by a wooden roof. The surrounding walls are graced by intricate stone carvings of several life size statues.
Nanda Devi temple is quite
famous not just in Kumauni people but whole of Uttarakhand. There are numerous
temples of Nanda Devi in Kumaon hills and the hills of far-western Nepal
dedicated to goddess Parvati as the daughter of Himalayas. The temple is most
famous for the Nanda Devi Fair that is hosted every year in the month of
September. Tourists from different parts of the country travel to Almora to
participate in this 5 day festival, which is accompanied with drum beats and
energetic dances. Two images of Nanda and Sunanda are made with banana trunk.
The fair starts on Nag Panchami according to Hindu Calendar, on Sasthi the
priests mark Kadli trees and then a red and white cloth is tied around it, on
the Saptami midst the sound of different instruments they are cut, prior to
which a goat is slaughtered for the Bali. On Ashtami the two idols are revered
and the Bali is performed before them, on Navami a procession is taken out in
and around Almora. The day is marked with several cultural activities taking
place.
Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
Nanda
Devi Temple situated in Almora is dedicated to Parvati, the deity, and daughter
of the Kumauni people. Every 12 years, Nanda Devi Raj Jat is the most popular
celebration of the area where devi Nanda, in the form of sheep- decorated with
ornaments, food, and clothing- is sent to her home Trishul peak with music,
local folk songs and dances.
Nanda
Devi temple dates back to 1000 years and is built in Kumaoni-style architecture
within the antechamber of a Shiva temple. The idol of the goddess Nanda is a
huge monument with a stone crown encircled by a wooden roof. The stone carving
on the wall of the temple with statues of gods and goddesses is a center of
attraction to the tourists and dwellers. Dedicated to the patron goddess of
Chand Dynasty, Nanda Devi temple is the center of attraction and honor not only
to Kumauni people but the whole of Uttarakhand.
Dev
Bhoomi Uttarakhand preserves the mythical stories connected to every rock,
peaks, rivers and villages. Gods and goddesses traded around the Himalayan
state in ancient times and left their marks for people to preserve the
traditions. The gifted land was just not traded by the divine figures but also
lived and blessed. The prominent goddess of Hindu mythology ‘Nanda’ [widely
known as Parvati, Gauri (brilliant), Uma (light), Kali (dark) and Bhairavi
(terrible)] is believed to be born of Dakshyaprajapati, a King of Garhwal in
ancient times. Highly honored by the locals and widely popular in Uttarakhand,
Nanda Devi temple holds the dignity of being the ruling deity of Kumaun region
and Kumauni people boost on being in the land where goddess Nanda was born.
Pilgrims
and other tourists visit Nanda Devi temple in Almora any time of the year. Yet
summer months March to June and spring months September to November are the
best time for Nanda Devi temple tour. Winter in Almora is cold and monsoon rain
makes the route a bit slippery to trek through.
Comments