Goddess Nanda Devi is an incarnation of Mother Goddess
Shakti. Nanda Devi means the Goddess of Bliss. She resides in the Nanda Devi Mountain
in the Himalayas. She is the source of life and She nourishes and replenishes
the earth.
There are numerous temples dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi
in Uttarakhand. The most famous temple is located at Almora. Another important
temple is the Naina Devi Temple at Nainital. In certain temples, She is worshipped
along with Goddess Sunanda.
Goddess Nanda is a kind, compassionate and caring for of
Goddess Shakti. But the people in the region believe that she can take the
fierce form of Durga to protect Dharma.
A popular legend has that Saptarishis or seven sages reside
on the Nanda Devi Mountain praying to the Goddess.
Nanda Devi Fair held at Ranikhet is a popular mela in this
region.