Gods and Goddesses of Nainital

Flowers for the Mother Goddess Through a life full of many events and adventures, many a time I foolishly did wrong things as perhaps most of us do or came close to grave danger but all those time a mysterious force, a loving hand saved me from trouble. I recognize that now as the Love of God in his various facets and manifestations, a prominent one among them being Naini Mata, the goddess of Nainital. The Infinite Almighty has no form that can be comprehended but those who love him have tried to do so in various names, forms and symbols. This is perfectly all right as long as one realizes that God is not limited to that name and form but it is just one of his infinite facets. As a female or as the female side of the Lord who is neither male nor female, humans recognize the Almighty as the Mother Goddess. The Mother Goddess too has an infinite number of shapes and forms and a devotee may choose any that he or she becomes familiar with. In the Himalayas the mother god...

Jai Shri Hanuman E ver since Nainital was established as a town and district in the Central Himalayas more than a century ago during the days of the British Empire, bureaucrats, politicians, mystics and others of Nainital have exerted their influence on the affairs of humanity across the planet. This year 2016, some watched American elections with much interest because being the largest economy and military power in the world, its influence on all humans across the planet, not just in America, is huge. The clear favorite of most was Bernie Sanders at first because in his words were the messages of love, truth and simplicity so loved by Baba Hairakhan, the most recent divine manifestation in the district of Nainital in human form. However, later, when he dropped out of the race, the choice of many fell on Donald Trump even though he is new  and unconventional as a politician and that causes fear of uncertain outcomes for many. However in him was hope of a break from man...

A s a result of fate and destiny, I have lived in many different continents and parts of the world in my brief something life of sixty and some years. My experience tells me that it is fate and destiny where one ends up living rather than one’s own choices in the matter.   As I look back, it is clear that the happiest periods of my life were spent in Nainital with the grace of the Goddess of Nainital – Naini Mata – and the Lord. I spent my childhood in Nainital and have visited later whenever opportunity permitted. The scriptures assert that when one leaves this body and is born again in a new life, it is usually in a place that is most on one’s mind during one’s last days and I suspect in my case it shall be Nainital. The District of Nainital is indeed one of the most beautiful districts on our planet with a diverse flora and fauna depending on where one is in the district with the Naintal town in its center. Unlike the plains, in Himalayan districts, the flora and ...

M ount Kailash situated in Tibet  is regarded as the abode of Shiva-Shankar who was charged with the spirit of the formless and infinite Almighty known by many Hindus as Shiva. Lake Mansarovar, the largest fresh water lake of the Himalayan region is situated at the foot of this mountain. It is situated to the north-east of Nainital District. Many believe that  lakes of Nainital District are fed by waters of this lake through underground rivers. According to mythology, the connection was a result of prayers of ancient sages that medidated on the banks of Naini Lake. Bhim Tal lake also in Nainital District is held by some to be fed from the adjoining Rakshas Tal. It is one of the poorly developed and mantained lakes of the district. Its water constitute a portion of the water supply of Haldwani town situated at the foot of Nainital Hills. Surprisingly the less beautiful parts of Nainital district are those fed by Rakshas Tal, whereas others fed by Mansarovar Lake are char...

Khurpa Tal, a village few kilometers from Nainital. Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khurpa_Tal_lake_near_Nainital,_Uttarakhand.jpg T here are so many wonderful spots in and around Nainital for a picnic that it is not a surprise that picnics are a common hobby with friends and family. One only has to walk a few kilometers from one’s home in Nainital to an enchanting spot in the lap of nature to relax and enjoy a picnic in aside from the famed Tiffin Top (Called Dorothy’s Bum by some naughty Europeans) in case one wanted to have company of other families too. I recall my picnic lunches in Nainital and it is the common one for many families, Alu Paranthas with pickle, or plain triangular Paranthas (pan fried unleavened flat bread) with a stir fried meat or vegetable dish, sticks of cucumber, carrots and radishes for salads, hard boiled eggs with salt packed in small newspaper pouches, followed by a sweet Barfi (a sweet preparation from milk). All of these foo...

T he Mother Goddess is viewed as Naini Mata by residents of Nainital, all though, others from afar also see her as Nanda Devi, Kali Mata, Durga Devi or Naina Devi and many other forms in which those who love the Universal Mother Goddess have viewed her. Long before Nainital came up, the temple of the goddess stood on the shores of Naini Lake. The present one is a reconstruction after the original one was submerged in the lake due to a landslide more than hundred years ago. You will find much information on Nainital and the spirituality surrounding it in the various posts of this blog. It is is the jewel of Central Himalayas. You can also learn more about the Mother Goddess in this little book, perhaps the only one in English language. It is available widely at most major online retailers around the world including: https://www.amazon.com/Naini-Mata-Nainital-Ashok-Malhotra/dp/1461159229/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roti_Cane_Kari_Kambing.jpg A mong one of the most delicious dinners on earth is a dinner consisting of a curry of meat or chicken served with flat bread and a salad. Those who do not eat meat substitute it with paneer (a cheese that does not melt) or more simply peas and potatoes etc. Even when the main ingredient is meat, peas and potatoes may be added to the dish. It may be pointed out that when curry is mentioned here it does not refer to a dish made with curry powder as many do in the west, particularly North America but it is a dish with a sauce prepared from a mix of individual spices and herbs that usually include onions, garlic, tomatoes, ginger and cilantro added last as a garnish and a large variety of spices that includes cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cumin. In the richest of curries, some nuts such as cashew nuts and almond are added while cooking. Yoghurt is also used frequently in the preparation at the frying ...