Naithna Fort comes under Nowada Gram Sabha in Ranikhet tehsil of Almora district of Uttarakhand. This fort was built by the Gorkha rulers, which is situated on a high peak. This fort is situated at a distance of 5 kilometers from Masi, a town situated on the banks of river Ramganga. The distance of 5 km from Masi is covered by trek. While going from Dwarhata to Nowada, we comes across Naina Devi Temple and at a distance of about 200 meters from Naina Devi Temple complex is situated this fort which unfortunately is fighting for its existence today.
Today only parts of some walls of this fort remain. Apart from the wall, no other remains exist in the fort. This fort is present in not a very good condition today.
Who built - Naithna Kila
During the period of the Gorkha rulers, the headquarters was built in Pali village and for the sake of security, this fort was constructed on the high peak there. In 1815, there was an agreement between the Gorkha rulers and the British, in which the areas of Kumaon and Garhwal were subjugated to the British, of which this fort is also the main one.
Remains of Naithna Kila
According to the local people, the walls of the fort were also safe till two decades ago, but due to the fort not being preserved, people started lifting stones from here, due to which the existence of this fort is also disappearing today. Arches were made for security in this fort. Seeing the remains here, it seems that arches were made in the fort for the safety of the soldiers, from where the soldiers used to protect this fort. There are 12 corners visible on the fort. There are three arches on each corner, which looks like a triangle, from where the soldiers used to protect the fort with weapons.
It is said that during the British rule, this fort was in the shape of a tower. The Naithna fort is situated on a peak, so the Gorkha rulers could easily keep an eye on the enemies.
Naithna Devi Mandir
At a distance of about 200 meters from the Naithana Fort, there is also the temple of Naithana Devi, which is a famous temple of Almora. Dwarhata is about 30 km from Ranikhet and the distance of the group of temples from Ranikhet is about 60 km. The rays of the rising sun seem to be paying obeisance at the feet of Naithana Devi Maa in the Devi temple, and present a very picturesque sight. Naithana Devi Shakti Peeth is revered as Vaishnavi Shakti, where non-vegetarian and sacrificial practices are completely prohibited. The villagers come to the Naithna Devi temple early in the morning to offer prayers. There is also a small temple of Bhairav ji before the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. There is also a yogashala near the temple.
There are immense possibilities of tourism in Naithana Devi Temple and people also have deep faith on Naithana Devi Temple. From Naithana Devi Temple, one can easily see the view of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges and till the Terai.
Naithna Devi Mandir - Ghee Sankrati Mela
Ghee Sankranti fair has great importance in Naithana Devi temple. This fair is organized on the Sankranti of Bhadrapada month. Although every Sankranti is celebrated here, but the Sankranti of Bhadrapada month is known as Ghee Sankranti festival. On this day local people come here to Naithana Devi temple and set up shops selling their hand made and other goods and devotees come to the temple and get the blessings of Mother Goddess.
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