Nanda Devi Mahotsav

Nanda Devi Mahotsav - A cultural fiesta

It was August 2009 when I embarked on a journey to explore the hill stations of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state. After exploring the region of mesmerizing Mukteshwar, I took the road to Almora situated at the heart of the state. It is one of the most important towns of Uttarakhand and Nanda Devi Temple acts as its main attraction. Nanda Devi Temple can also be considered as history of Kumaon, because it is more that 1000 years old. It was 28^th August when I reached Almora and luckily it was the inaugural day of the Nanda Devi Mahotsav (Nanda Devi Festival). This one week festival holds high reverence amongst the people of Uttarakhand. Thousands of people from different parts of the state visit this festival. You can see people coming from the remote locations of the state exhibiting true Kumaoni culture.

Nanda Devi Temple

There were many shops like this in the premises of the temple

The Sacrifice

The temple was flooded with mothers holding hands of their kids and men roaming. Small colorful shops were set in the premises of the temple selling various items. A long queue was visible outside the Nanda Devi Temple where most of the people were standing with ‘prasad thali’ in their hands. A special section was created outside the Nanda Devi Temple with a flag waving by the flow of the wind, ‘something was special about this section’, I wondered. Couple of minutes later a goat was brought to this location by two men, of which one was holding a butcher knife. The goat was tied right below that flag and was given some grains to eat. The pandit came and made an auspicious symbol between the two eyes of the goat. I knew what it was all about and I am against this ritual where animals are butchered in the name of god, but majority of people present there believed in it. I turned around and started walking, just before a man cut that goat into two pieces. And that was not it, after that 6 other goats were brought there.

In the name of GOD

The Mysterious Sound

It was an auspicious day at Nanda Devi Temple and in the city crowd different faces were visible. I could hear the soothing sound of the bagpiper from distance, and listening to the beautiful sound, I started walking towards that direction where it was coming from, like a rat in Pied Piper. A group of men in traditional Kumaoni dress holding different musical instruments were walking down the street that ended at the premises of the temple. The music was serene and perfectly amalgamated with the scenic beauty of Almora.  

The man with Bagpiper

The Kumaoni Cuisine

The essence of Kumaoni culture would have faded in the absence of Kumaoni cuisines and sweets available in the market. It was pure delight to engulf the variety of appetizing Kumaoni dishes. The only issue that most of the people came across during this festival was lack of parking areas. Even though the town of Almora is visually stunning and affords breathtaking views, it is getting increasingly crowded by continuous construction in the area.

The Happening

It’s true that whenever you expect least for happening of something, right at that moment you will see it happening. I didn’t expect that Almora would bring such enriching experience to my life, but it did. It seemed that I spanned the 1000 years of history by being present at the Nanda Devi Festival. 

By: Sandeep Bisht