The holy temple of Maa Nanda Devi located in Almora is the center of faith of thousands of devotees. Mother Nanda Devi established here is considered to be the form of Shailputri. Nanda Devi of Almora is the family deity of Chand dynasty kings, who even today appears in the dreams of her devotees and fulfills their wishes. Priest Tara Dutt Joshi tells that this temple is of ancient times and the idol of Mata was established in this courtyard about 200 years ago.
Earlier Nanda Devi was worshiped in Malla Mahal. After that, the statue of Mother Goddess was consecrated in this courtyard. From then till today, Mother Goddess is worshiped here. He told that thousands of devotees visit this temple every month. It is also said by the devotees that the Mother Goddess appeared to them in a dream, after which they reached this temple. He told that some descendants of the royal family worship Mother Nanda Devi as their family goddess.
The temple was established by melting 200 Ashrafis: Nanda Devi Temple Committee Convenor Arjun Bisht told that in 1670, Baj Bahadur Chand had brought the golden statue of Nanda Devi from Badhangarh to Almora. In 1699, Raja Gyan Chand also brought a gold statue from Badhankot to Almora. In 1710, Raja Jagat Chand did not receive the statue of Nandadevi on the occasion of Badhankot victory, after which he made the statue of Nandadevi by melting 200 ashrafis from his treasury and installed it in the Nandadevi temple located in Malla Mahal.
In the complex where the present Nandadevi temple is situated, in 1690-91, the then king Udyot Chand built two Shiva temples, Udyot Chandeshwar and Parvati Chandeshwar. During the British rule, in 1815, the then Commissioner Trail got them placed in the Udyot Chandreshwar temple. After this, Commissioner Trail’s eyesight suddenly diminished considerably. On the advice of some people, he came to Almora in 1816 and built a temple of Nanda Devi (the present temple) and installed the idol of Nanda Devi there. After that his eyesight returned.
Khajuraho artwork in temples: Nanda Devi Temple The temple construction style of Almora is also quite old. The Udyot Chandreshwar temple here is believed to have been established in the late 17th century. There is a wooden balcony in the upper part of the Udyot Chandreshwar temple. The artwork made in the temple is on the lines of Khajuraho temples. These temples are included in the protected category.
A few descendants do Tantric worship: In Almora, there is a tradition of worshiping Mother Nanda in the form of Tara Shakti through Tantric method. Already, special Tantric puja has been performed by some rulers and their family members. Presently Chand descendant, former MP of Nainital, Late. KC Singh Baba’s family sits in worship as king.-Ramesh Jadout, Almora