Dr. Navin Joshi, Navin Samachar, Nainital, September 5, 2025 (Know Who are Mata Nanda-Sunanda Devi). The lake city of Nainital is resplendent with devotion and festivity as it celebrates the 123rd Nanda Devi Mahotsav, a living tradition that continues to thrive despite the challenges of modern times. More than a century old, this festival is not merely a religious observance but a cultural heritage event that unites Kumaon and Garhwal in Uttarakhand through faith, folk art, and social harmony.
At its heart lies the worship of two divine sisters—Mata Nanda and Mata Sunanda, whose myths and legends have shaped the cultural identity of the Himalayan region.
🌺 Know Who are Mata Nanda-Sunanda Devi?
The question of who the two goddesses represent has intrigued scholars, devotees, and historians for centuries. While Mata Nanda is universally accepted as the Kuldevi (patron goddess) of Kumaon and Garhwal, Mata Sunanda is often interpreted in different ways—sometimes as her twin sister, sometimes as another form of Goddess Parvati or Gauri.
Legends narrate that in Dwapar Yuga, Nanda appeared as Mahmaya, the daughter of Yashoda, who was thrown by Kansa on a rock but manifested as an eight-armed goddess. In Treta Yuga, she was worshipped as the Navadurga, and in Kali Yuga, she reincarnated in the Chand dynasty as Nanda, followed by the birth of Sunanda.
Another dramatic tale speaks of political conspiracies in which young princesses Nanda and Sunanda were crushed under a buffalo. Sunanda, seeking shelter behind a banana tree, was betrayed when a goat ate the leaves, exposing her to danger. Both sisters are said to have reincarnated as divine protectors, leading to their continued worship.
This is why the idols crafted during the festival—made from banana tree trunks (kadali dal), bamboo, and cloth—represent two deities, Nanda and Sunanda, carried in processions before immersion in Naini Lake.
🏔️ Historical Roots of the Nanda Devi Festival
The tradition of Nanda Devi worship stretches back to the 17th century when King Baz Bahadur Chand of Kumaon brought the idol of Nanda from Garhwal’s Junagarh fort as a symbol of victory. One part of the idol was placed at the Kot Bhramari temple near Garud, now revered as “Kot ki Mai.” The other was enshrined in Almora, making the goddess both a victory symbol and a spiritual protector for the Chand rulers.
In Nainital, the festival was introduced in 1903 by Motiram Shah, who brought the tradition from Almora. By 1926, the organization of the Mahotsav was handed to Shri Ram Sevak Sabha, the town’s oldest religious-social body, which has kept the tradition alive ever since—through wars, political upheavals, and even the pandemic.
🌿 Symbolism of the Mountain-Shaped Idols
The idols of Nanda and Sunanda are crafted in mountain-like forms, symbolizing their connection to the Nandagiri and Nandakot peaks of the Himalayas. This association highlights the deeply rooted relationship between the people of Uttarakhand and their surrounding mountains, rivers, and forests.
Today, the festival emphasizes eco-friendly practices. Since 1998, for every two banana plants cut for idols, 21 fruit-bearing trees are planted. In 2012, the age-old practice of animal sacrifice was replaced with symbolic coconut offerings, reflecting the festival’s adaptability to modern values.
🎶 A Cultural Carnival of Kumaon
Beyond rituals, the Nanda Devi Mahotsav is a celebration of folk art and communal harmony. Local artists perform Jhoda, Chanchari, and Chapeli dances, while devotional songs echo through the town. Women in traditional Kumaoni attire participate in large numbers, and grand processions carry the idols through decorated streets before their immersion in Naini Lake.
This blend of spirituality, culture, and collective joy has made the Mahotsav a cultural identity marker for Nainital.
🌍 Towards Global Recognition
The festival’s organizers have taken steps to document its history and traditions, with an eye on nominating it for recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. If achieved, it would bring the Nanda Devi Mahotsav alongside the already recognized Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers as global heritage treasures of Uttarakhand.
For the diaspora of Uttarakhandis living across India and abroad, the festival has become a unifying thread, keeping them connected to their roots.
The 123rd Nanda Devi Mahotsav in Nainital is not just an event but a living cultural tradition, symbolizing faith, sustainability, and unity. By honoring Mata Nanda and Mata Sunanda, the people of Kumaon and Garhwal reaffirm their bond with their history, environment, and divine feminine power.
In an era of rapid cultural change, the continuing vibrancy of this festival proves that some traditions are not relics of the past—they are living bridges between history and the future.
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