PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Nainital
Shri Nanda Devi Festival-the week-long religious and cultural celebration- started in Nainital in 1903 and Shri Ram Sevak Sabha, established in 1918, has been organising the festival since 1926. This year, it will be organised in Nainital from August 28 to September 5. Maa Nanda and Sunanda-considered two sisters- are Uttarakhand’s Kul Devis and are often worshipped together as manifestations of Goddess Parvati.
The festival is associated with religious beliefs and cultural traditions deeply entrenched in the collective psyche of Kumaon region. Besides, it signifies worship of Nature which is revered as the Mother of creation. The banana trees are used traditionally and prominently in the festival with the idols of the goddesses symbolically made with them. As per the mythological beliefs originating in the Puranas, when a buffalo was chasing Maa Nanda and Sunanda, a banana tree protected them and due to its supposed purity, the idols of the goddesses are made from banana. Further, Navpatra, fashioned from banana tree, is worshipped during Navratri and also used for offering prasad
On the day of Panchami, priests select two banana trees, worship them and then they are taken to the main temple through processions for the local artisans to fashion the goddesses’ images with them for the festival. On the day of Nandashtami, the idols are consecrated with rituals on the auspicious moment called Brahma Muhurta.
Naturally and ecologically decomposable and rich in vitamins, fibre, potassium and anti-oxidants, banana represents kindness, happiness and prosperity.
Importantly, worship of Maa Nanda Sunanda dates back to the days of Kumaon’s Chand dynasty and this is the 123rd year of the festival in Nainital.
