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Nainital Bids Emotional Farewell to Maa Nanda-Sunanda; Grand Palanquin Draws Huge Crowds
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News18•23-09-2026, 18:43
Nainital Bids Emotional Farewell to Maa Nanda-Sunanda; Grand Palanquin Draws Huge Crowds
- •The 124th Maa Nanda-Sunanda Festival in Nainital concluded on Wednesday with an emotional farewell.
- •Maa Nanda-Sunanda's palanquin departed from Maa Naina Devi Temple for a city procession at 12 noon, with chants of 'Jai Maa' filling the air.
- •Once carried on laborers' shoulders, the grand palanquin procession is now a symbol of collective faith for thousands of devotees.
- •Despite light rain, devotees' enthusiasm remained high, with the entire city resonating with chants of 'Jai Maa'.
- •Community kitchens were set up during the procession, and Pithoragarh's Shor Valley cultural team presented the traditional Lakhiya Bhoot performance.
Key Questions Answered
The 124th Maa Nanda-Sunanda Festival in Nainital concluded on Wednesday with an emotional farewell and a grand palanquin procession departing from the Maa Naina Devi Temple at 12 noon for a city tour.
According to elders, the mother's farewell was once very simple, with laborers carrying the idols on their shoulders for a city procession. Over time, the tradition became much grander, turning into a massive palanquin procession symbolising the collective faith of thousands of devotees.
During the palanquin procession, band groups and Chholiya dance teams enhanced the enthusiasm of devotees, while a cultural team from Pithoragarh's Shor Valley presented the traditional performance of Lakhiya Bhoot.
