Almora

Nanda Devi Temple

Nestled amidst the lush green flora and enjoying the cool weather and picturesque beauty of Himalayan peaks, Nanda Devi Temple is among the top attractions of Almora. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, the temple is dedicated to the patron deity of the rulers of Garhwal and Kumaon, specifically the Chand Dynasty, Goddess Nanda Devi. Built in the simple yet invigorating Kumaoni Architecture using stones, the temple is housed in the antechamber of a Shiva Temple, above the Mall Road. Goddess’s idol is in the form of a huge monument which flaunts a stone crown and is surrounded by the carvings and statues of several Hindu deities on the walls. Interestingly, the local people honour the goddess as their own daughter and worship her with full reverence. Thousands of tourists throng the temple on the annual occasion of Nanda Devi Fair. Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is another popular event, celebrated only once in 12 years.