Nanda Devi Mela Nainital 2023 Date, Time, History, Celebration & More
Nanda Devi fair is celebrated every year in the month of September with great pomp in some places of Uttarakhand like Nainital, Almora, Kot Town Pauri Garhwal, Bhowali Area, and far-flung areas of Johar.
What is the date of Naina Devi Mela in 2023?
In 2023 Nanda Devi fair will start in Nainital on 22nd September and will last for 4 days.
Two days before the fair, the priests and devotees go to nearby villages to get a banana tree to make an idol of devis and come back to Nainital with the procession of the banana tree, worship is offered at the Cheena Baba Temple located in Mallital and the temples located on Thandi Road.
Then the next day idols of Maa Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi are made from banana leaves by artisans.
How is the Nanda Devi fair celebrated?
After making the idols of Maa Nanda and Sunanda with banana leaves, the next day in the early morning, the idols of both the goddesses are placed in a doli by the priest in the Nanda Devi temple and devotees start coming for worship.
Many devotees also sacrifice goats as prasad to the goddesses in order to fulfill their wishes, but for some years the government has forbidden the sacrifice of goats in the temple.
Apart from the goat, the practice of offering Gola, Chunri, and Batashe to the goddesses has been going on for years.
A huge Bhandara is also organized during the Nanda Devi fair, in which Kheer, Halwa, Puri, and potato dishes are fed to the devotees.
Outside the Nanda Devi temple during the fair
During this, the ground near the Nanda Devi temple is decorated with lots of shops selling clothes, food, utensils, and children’s toys.
Some swings are also kept in the ground, in which a large number of people sit and enjoy the fair.
Last day of the Nanda Devi fair
On the last day of the Nanda Devi fair, the doli of Maa Nanda and Sunanda is rotated all over Nainital and a large number of devotees also follow the doli.
After moving the dole into the whole city, the idols of both goddesses are immersed in the lake.
According to the belief, on the last day of the fair, Nanda Devi is leaving her maternal home for her in-law’s house, due to which many devotees become very emotional.
History of Nanda Devi Fair
According to a belief, when Lord Shankar was roaming around the world with the half-burnt body of Goddess Sati, then the eye of the Goddess fell in Nainital, due to which a lake was formed at that place.
Then in the 17th century, Raja Dyot Chand built a temple of his family goddess Nanda Devi and since then this festival is celebrated with great pomp.
Nanda Devi Mela FAQs
Q. When is Nanda Devi Mela in 2023?
A. In 2023, the Nanda Devi fair will start on 22nd September and will continue till 25th September.
Q. Where is the biggest fair of Nanda Devi held?
A. The biggest fair of Nanda Devi is held in Nainital and is also celebrated in Almora, Kot Town Pauri Garhwal, Bhowali Area, and far-flung areas of Johar.
Q. Who is devi Sunanda?
A. Goddess Sunanda is the sister of Nanda Devi and every year at the Nanda Devi fair, both are worshiped together.
Q. Can everyone go to the Nanda Devi fair?
A. Yes, at the Nanda Devi fair, people of every caste and religion can worship and enjoy the fair. There is no fee to visit the fair here.
Q. Is there any government holiday at the Nanda Devi fair?
A. There is a local holiday on the first and last day of the Nanda Devi fair.
