Temple bells ring out as pilgrims and devotees visit the Naina Devi mandir in Nainital, Uttarakhand, for a visit during the Nanda Devi Mahotsav. A mobile ring tone ruins the sacred atmosphere, even as a pujari puts tika on the foreheads of women devotees.
A woman offers up coconuts on a thali plate. The women seem to largely be wearing saris and salwar kameez suits. The pandit offers holy water in a little metal cup.
The Nandadevi fair is held at Almora, Nainital, Kot (Dangoli), Ranikhet, Bhowali, Kichha and also in the far flung villages of lohar (like Milam and Martoli) and Pindar valleys (like Wachham and Khati). In the villages of the Pindar valley people celebrate the Nanda Devi J aat (journey) every year, while in lohar people come from far and wide to Danadhar, Suring, Milam and Martoli in order to worship the Goddess. In Nainital and Almora thousands take part in the procession carrying the dola (or litter) of Nanda Devi. It is said that the Nanda Devi fairs started in Kumaon during the reign of Kalyan Chand in the 16th Century. A three day fair is held at Kot ki mai or Kot bhramari devi. The fair at Saneti comes every second year. Both these fairs are rich in folk expressions and many village products are brought for sale.
http://www.euttaranchal.com/culture/fairs_festivals/nandadevi.php
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