Artisans now busy crafting Nanda- Sunanda idols from consecrated banana plants

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital

As part of the 123rd nine-day Shri Maa Nanda Devi Mahotsav being organised under the aegis of Shri Ram Sevak Sabha, devotees in large numbers reached Nainital with banana plants from the residence of Chandan Singh Jina in Chopra village near Jyolikot. As they reached Nainital, the atmosphere became devotional with chants of Maa Nanda Sunanda having filled the air. After the banana trees were taken around the town, these were ceremoniously worshipped in Maa Naina Devi temple premises. Now, the work is on to craft the idols of Maa Nanda and Sunanda from these banana trees.

Earlier, in Chopra village, the banana trees had been worshipped with rituals by Pandit Bhagwati Prasad Joshi. During this, 21 saplings provided by nature lover Yashpal Rawat had been planted as part of the long-continuing cultural tradition.  Thereafter, the banana trees had been brought from Chopra to Sukhatal on a vehicle where these were worshipped.

From there these were taken to some temples in Nainital town in largely attended processions and then reached Maa Naina Devi temple.  

The dignitaries present included the Nainital MLA Sarita Arya; president of Sri Ram Sevak Sabha, Manoj Sah and Prof Lalit Tiwari of Kumaun University.