The six-day 118th Nanda Devi Mahotsav concluded ceremoniously in Nainital on Friday. Due to the restrictions put in place due to Covid-19, this year, the palanquin carrying the idols of the goddesses Nanda and Sunanda was not taken around the town but was taken around in the Naina Devi temple complex and then immersed in the Naini lake.
Earlier, the ritual prayers began in the shrine in the morning. At about 12:15, the idols of the goddesses were taken around inside the temple complex before being immersed in the lake.
As there were no public events in the Nanda Devi Mahotsav due to Covid restrictions this year, special arrangements had been made to broadcast rituals to devotees. The various rituals were broadcast live on a local television channel, YouTube and social media.
This enabled not only local devotees but also those around the world to view ritual worship of the goddesses. Nainital MLA Sanjeev Arya, municipality chairman Sachin Negi, sub divisional magistrate Vinod Kumar, head of organising body- Sri Ram Sevak Sabha, Manoj Sah along with other office bearers, local officials and devotees were also present on concluding day.