# Nainital Prepares For 124th Nanda Devi Festival 2026 With 23,000 Calendars And Full Schedule

> Preparations are in full swing for the 124th Sri Nanda Devi Festival 2026 in Nainital, featuring door-to-door distribution of 23,000 calendars and flags by women.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Culture · **Published:** 2026-08-26 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/culture/nainital-prepares-for-124th-nanda-devi-festival-2026-with-23-000-calendars-and-full-schedule-22661 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Nanda Devi Festival, Nainital News, Uttarakhand Culture, Sri Ram Seva Sabha, Kumaon Traditions

Preparations are gathering momentum in the picturesque lakeside town of Nainital for the historic 124th Sri Nanda Devi Festival 2026, an event deeply tied to the culture, faith, and rich heritage of Uttarakhand. To ensure the festival is conducted with grandeur and immaculate organization, the Sri Ram Seva Sabha has initiated comprehensive planning. A distinctive highlight of this year is the distribution of 23,000 calendars and sacred flags of Goddess Nanda to households across the city through dedicated women groups, ensuring that the religious and cultural spirit of the festival reaches every single family.

A crucial meeting of women was recently held at the Sabha Bhawan to deliberate on festival preparations, with a special focus on the vital role played by female volunteers. According to the organizers, women have consistently been the backbone of the Nanda Devi celebrations, and this year they have been entrusted with the responsibility of delivering calendars and flags door to door. In addition, meticulous attention is being directed toward maintaining pristine sanitation and cleanliness standards throughout the city during the entire duration of the festival.

Dr. Lalit Tiwari, an official of the Sri Ram Seva Sabha, stated that the overarching theme for this year's Nanda Devi Festival is 'Sanskar, Sanskriti, Samriddha Virasat' (Values, Culture, Prosperous Heritage). The festival will officially commence on September 16 with an inaugural ceremony at the Sabha Bhawan. On the auspicious occasion of Bhadrapada Panchami, a dedicated team will depart from the Sri Ram Seva Sabha Bhawan to fetch the sacred banana (kadali) tree. The traditional tree will be brought to Nainital on September 17, followed by rituals at Sukhatal and a vibrant procession through Tallital, culminating in evening prayers as part of the core religious proceedings.

On September 18, traditional folk artisans will craft the idols of Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda using organic materials such as banana trunks, cotton, bamboo, and cloth. Educational and cultural activities, including quiz and folk song competitions for children, will also be organized on the same day to bridge generations and instill Kumaon's cultural traditions among the youth. The sacred installation ceremony (pran pratishtha) of the idols will take place in the early hours of September 19 during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta around 5 am, after which the doors will open for devotees. A bustling fair will simultaneously run at the Mallital Flats, blending devotional activities with cultural performances.

A sacred fire ritual (havan) is scheduled for September 20, paving the way for the grand community feast (maha bhandara) on September 21. Special logistical arrangements are underway to serve prasad smoothly to the massive influx of devotees. Devotional programs, including Sundarkand recitals and bhajan evenings, will follow on September 22. The festival will reach its spiritual zenith on September 23 when the divine palanquin (dola yatra) carrying the idols of Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda tours the city. Following the Nagar भ्रमण procession, the idols will be immersed with full Vedic rituals, bringing the eight-day celebration to a close.

Dr. Lalit Tiwari noted that the Sri Ram Seva Sabha was established in 1926, while the Nanda Devi Festival in Nainital dates back to 1903. Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda are revered as manifestations of Rajarajeshwari. Over generations, the festival has remained a pivotal pillar of Nainital's spiritual devotion and Kumauni folklore. Organizers are also arranging live broadcasts of major events this year, allowing individuals residing away from Nainital to participate virtually in the darshan and cultural festivities, amplified by the extensive door-to-door distribution drive.

## What this means for you
Residents and visitors in Nainital and across Uttarakhand should take note of local crowd movements, traffic diversions, and special event timings during the festival.

- **Across India:** Devotees and cultural enthusiasts living outside Nainital can participate virtually through the planned live broadcasts of major festival rituals.
- **In Nainital:** Local residents, commuters, and traders should anticipate altered traffic routes, bustling market areas around Mallital Flats, and large gatherings during the procession days.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When does the 124th Sri Nanda Devi Festival begin in Nainital?
The festival begins on September 16 with an inaugural ceremony at the Sabha Bhawan.

### 2. What is the theme of the festival this year?
The theme for this year's Nanda Devi Festival is 'Sanskar, Sanskriti, Samriddha Virasat'.

### 3. When will the sacred banana tree rituals take place?
The team will depart to fetch the kadali tree on September 16, and it will be brought to Nainital on September 17 for worship and a procession.

### 4. When is the pran pratishtha of the idols scheduled?
The installation ceremony of Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda will take place at around 5 am during Brahma Muhurta on September 19.

### 5. On which date will the maha bhandara be held?
The community feast or maha bhandara is scheduled for September 21.

### 6. When and how does the festival conclude?
The eight-day festival concludes on September 23 with the dola yatra and the ceremonial immersion of the idols.

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