Cultural programmes held to promote native culture of Uttarakhand
PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Nainital
The idols of goddesses Nanda and Sunanda were ceremoniously installed and opened to the devotees for Darshan at the Naina Devi Mandir as part of the nine-day 123 Ma Nanda Devi Mahotsav here on Sunday.
The chief priest Bhagwati Prasad Joshi conducted the main Pooja in which local resident and Padma Shri recipient Anup Sah and his wife were the Yajman who made offerings to the goddess during the ritual.
The temple resounded with chants hailing the goddesses as the idols were then opened for the devotees to offer their obeisance. The organising body Shri Ram Sewak Sabha’s head Manoj Sah, general secretary Jagdish Bawadi and other office bearers also played a role in the religious activities which attracted devotees who queued at the temple from about 2 AM.
Following various programmes held during the daytime, the Panch Arti of goddess Nanda and Sunanda was held in the evening. Uttarakhand High Court justice Alok Mahra, MLA Sarita Arya and Nainital municipal council chairperson Saraswati Khetwal and other prominent citizens also participated in the Panch Arti.
To mark Nanda Ashtami which was celebrated on Sunday, the Nainital hotel and restaurant association members distributed cool water to devotees outside the temple.
Among the programmes held on the occasion, various cultural presentations were held to promote the native culture of Uttarakhand among the youths and visitors. School students, women cultural groups and others performed Kumaoni songs and dances on the occasion.
The activities starting during the wee hours were also telecast live on social media for devotees across India and abroad to view.
