🐅Nanda Ashtami - नंदा अष्टमी

On the occasion of Shukla Ashtami of Bhadra month, Nanda Devi Mela is celebrated with great pomp for three days. The mela starts from Panchami Tithi. On this occasion, a large number of people keep coming to the temple for darshan and to see the mela.

How is Nanda Devi mela organized?
❀ Nanda Devi Mahotsav is organized for a week. On the first day, a procession is taken out to bring the banana trees selected for making the idol of mata Nanda-Sunanda.
❀ The banana trees arrive the next day. After this, the idols are made as per rituals and the next day in Brahma Muhurta, the idols of the Devi are consecrated and in the evening, along with worshiping the Devi, Aarti is performed and Prasad is offered to the Devi at night.
❀ After this, on the day of Ashtami, the Dola is picked up, decorated and taken around the entire Nainital, in which thousands of devotees sing praises of the Mother Devi.
❀ Finally, the idols of the Devi are immersed near the Paashana Devi temple.

The mela is organized on a grand scale, during which bhajans and kirtans are also performed day and night at the Naina Devi Temple, Nainital. Devotees come for darshan with immense devotion. Various types of cultural programs are also organized during Nanda Devi Mahotsav, in which folk artists from different regions showcase their art.