Gods and Goddesses of Nainital

Nainital Town is a beautiful lake resort that nestles amongst seven hills in a lush green valley full of wild flowers and evergreen trees, at a height of 1938 metres. A Britisher by the name of Lord Barren was so enamored by it that he sold off his sugar business and came and built a home here in 1841. In time a town came up here and it was a favorite haunt of the British for as long as they were in India, until 1947. The surrounding area called the district of Nainital is just as beautiful and is dotted with lakes. Nainital is also spiritually very vibrant. The town itself has a temple of an ancient Goddess and the surrounding district is populated with the ashrams and abodes of several holy men. More about the Goddess and one of the well known holy personalities that appeared in this district has been described in this blog.

A distinguishing feature of Hinduism is the existence of Numerous Gods and Goddesses. This is so even though Hindus believe firmly that there is only one God in the universe Who pervades everything and that there is nothing else besides him. To a person not familiar with Hinduism this monotheism appears contradictory to the polytheistic practices of Hindus. However, to a devout Hindu there is no contradiction. In Hindu philosophy it is believed that the infinite eternal Supreme may act through any finite being in the universe in order to carry out the functions of the universe or to communicate with a devotee. A devotee may regard the Infinite in a particular finite form possessing defined attributes and a chosen name in order to establish a tangible relationship with the Infinite and formless God of the Universe. The Bhagavat Gita (Or Gita in short), one of the most highly regarded scriptures of Hinduism explains this in verses 3-5 of chapter 12 as follows“ Those who controlling al...

Article Updated May 6 , 2019 If one were to select a likely abode of Gods on our planet, it would likely be highest mountains on the planet, Himalayas- including its greener hills, valleys and caves in lower ranges fed by pristine waters of melting snows of the highest peaks and lakes. Here the air is fresh, cool and crisp and because it is relatively close to equatorial regions, not so cold as to be inhospitable even in the depths of winter. Indeed, fresh air, pure water to drink, green fields, wild flowers and groves of Oak or Pine have created areas within these vast ranges that might be most akin to what one might imagine of heaven. However, over centuries, even the Himalayas have not remained untouched by greed and lust with its associated evils. It is a process that seems to have been set in motion several thousands years ago. Just as it is in the nature of humans to begin forgetting God and goodness with prosperity so it is with civilizations made up of them. As...