Activity location: Kumaon Region, Uttarakhand

Duration of Raj-Jaat Yatra: 3 weeks

Duration of Nanda Devi Mela: 5-7days

About Nanda Devi

The name ‘Nanda Devi’ translates to ‘Bliss giving Goddess’ believed as the patron Goddess of the Uttarakhand Himalayas holds great significance. Nanda Devi is the second highest peak of India after Kanchenjunga in Sikkim. Nanda Devi Peak lies in the Greater Himalayas of the Garhwal region in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Goriganga Valley and Rishiganga Valley surrounding the Nanda Devi peaks along with other mountains encircled in the east and the west. Nanda Devi is a two-peaked mountain where the western peak is tallest at an elevation of 7,817 meters officially known as Nanda Devi Mountain and the eastern peak at an elevation of 7756 meters known as Sunanda Peak meaning Sister of Nanda was formally known as  Nanda Devi East. Both the peaks together are known as Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi. The Nanda Devi mountain’s height of 4300 meters is covered with snow throughout the year. Rishiganga river flows the melted glacier of the Nanda Devi gorges. Several streams and rivers flow from the melted glaciers of Nanda Devi later they groove into the Rishiganga river that further joins one of the tributaries of river Ganga, Dhauliganga which then joins Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. 

There are several legends about the Patron Goddess of the Himalayas believed by the locals. One of those is Nanda was a beautiful young princess daughter of the Chamoli’s Chanda dynasty King. She ran for her life to save herself from the wily Rohilla Prince who was deeply in love with Nanda. After the King’s denial to marry off her daughter to him, the prince waged war against the King and defeated him. During the run to save herself, Nanda climbed the snowy mountain and merged with the holy mountain. The mountain was revered to Nanda as a temple and she was defied as Devi. The Nanda Devi mountain is two peaked mountains where the western peak at tallest is Nanda Devi Peak and the eastern peak is called Sunanda Devi is known to be the younger sister of Nanda Devi and was formerly known as Nanda Devi East. Nanda Devi is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and is an angry Goddess. Every auspicious task is done by first offering to Goddess Nanda Devi which could be simple stones, flowers, coins, animals, etc. It is believed that during the Teerth Yuga when Laxman fell comatose on the battlefield and Hanuman in search of Sanjeevani Booti came to Dunagiri mountain in Almora of Chamoli District and being unable to find the herb he broke a piece of the mountain carrying it to Sri Lanka without seeking permission from Goddess Nanda Devi. Angry Nanda Devi on this said anyone uttering Hanuman’s name will be severely punished. There are no temples or signs of worshipping Hanuman are found in these parts. 

About Nanda Devi Raj-Jaat Yatra

There is a famous Nanda Devi yatra held every 12 years in the Chamoli District named Nanda Devi Raj-Jaat. The Yatra starts from the Nauti Village, the ceremony is inaugurated by Kunwar of Kansua village. The whole Yatra approximately covers a distance of 300km of which a major part is covered on foot or by trek and minimum distance by bus transport. The main priest belongs to the Nautiyals of Nauti village. The belief behind the Nanda Devi yatra, Raj-Jaat is the wife of Lord Shiva, Nanda Devi left her village and moved to Nanda Devi Parvat. The yatra covers many villages in its journey of the procession. The procession signifies the journey of newlywed Nanda Devi leaving her Maternal home and going to her In-laws, Kailash. It is believed that every time during the start of the yatra it rains heavily as is Goddess Nanda Devi is crying. According to the traditions Nanda Devi returns to her maternal home after every 12 years for 3 weeks. Therefore the locals pay her visit before she leaves and she pays her visit to numerous temples too. She meets her sister in the Bhagwati village on the way and her Dharam-Bhai meaning ‘brother by the virtue of duty’ known as ‘Laatu Devta’ in the last village’s last temple of the yatra. The whole area covered during the procession is divided into Mait and Sauraas. Mait meaning the Maika or maternal home and Sauraas meaning the In-laws home. During the procession, the whole village gets emotional as if sending off their daughter.  All communities take part during the 3-week yatra, the Dalits and Thakurs are seen playing drums and Bhankuaras. Whereas the Bhramins take care of the ceremonial gamps. Men and women sing Jhumela to show their love for Goddess Nanda Devi on her arrival.

About Nanda Devi Mela

Nanda Devi Mela is also known as Nanda Devi Mahotsav is a festival celebrated every year in September around the Nandashtami festival which is celebrated in parts of the state Uttarakhand. The Nanda Devi Mela or fair is one of the main festivals in the Kumaon region. It is mainly celebrated in Almora, Chamoli, Mussoorie, Dandhidhara, Nauti, Nainital, Ranikhet, Kichha, Bageshwar, Bhowali, Johar, and Kot. This festival was first started when King Dyot Chand established a temple for Goddess Nanda Devi who was also the family Goddess of Chand Kings, the ruler of the Kumaon region. Since then the ritual of celebrating this fair has been continuously done every year for 5 to 7 days. The fair starts with the procession carrying the Dola ( palanquin) of Goddess Nanda Devi and her sister Sunanda Devi. The whole fair is organized in and around the Nanda Devi Temple. People gather to take blessing here as the fair is celebrated for economic and cultural prosperity. Students of schools and colleges perform in the fair showcasing various talents, also local performers put a show in the fair along with folk songs and dance. Various stalls and markets of various local handicrafts, handmade stuff, and food put up in the fair around temples.  Not only people from the Kumaon region but from the Garhwal region and other parts of India attend the celebration. The celebration starts from early morning till 9 pm. The fair is when the Dola of Goddess Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi is carried out for emersion in the water.

Best time to visit Nanda Devi 

• Nanda Devi in Winters ( November- April)
• Nanda Devi in winter is closed for almost 6 months reasoning to its high altitude to heavy snowfall and extremely cold weather the place remains covered under snow. The average temperature ranges between 8℃ -20℃.
• Nanda Devi in Summers ( May- June )
• Nanda Devi opens in Summers for tourists, the best time to visit the National park with family or friends is the warm weather and clear sky make it perfect to explore through the National Park with a variety of flora and fauna around. Different animals and birds can be spotted after long winters have finally left and many species of flowers bloom in this season. The average temperature ranges between 27℃- 43℃.
• Nanda Devi in Monsoon ( July- September)
• Nanda Devi in Monsoon is open for visitors yet it is not recommended as heavy and unpredicted rains in the surrounding areas hold the risk of landslides and floods. The average temperature ranges between 25℃- 38℃.

How to reach Nanda Devi

Nanda Devi by Air

The nearest airport to Nanda Devi is Pantnagar Airport (PGH). The airport is not busy as compared to Jolly Grant Airport ( DED). There are 4 flights available from Indira Gandhi International Airport( DEL) per week. Further, the roads are well connected for buses, cabs, and taxis till Munsiyari. The distance from Pantnagar Airport to Munsiyari is 312km. Another airport with frequent flights from major cities of India is Jolly Grant Airport. Flights of Air India, Indigo, and Spicejet have multiple flights each day at affordable prices. From Jolly Grant Airport cabs, taxis, government, and private buses are available.

Nanda Devi by Rail

The nearest railway station to Nanda Devi is Kathgodam Railway Station (KGM) at a distance of nearly 180km is a 3 platformed station where trains from different cities of India halt. 1 Daily and 1 weekly train are available from New Delhi which takes a minimum of 05hr and 30 mins and a maximum of 08hr 40 mins. Cabs, local buses, and Taxis are available from there till Munsiyari covering a distance of 278 km.

Nanda Devi By Road

The nearest motorable town to Nanda Devi East Base Camp is Munsiyari. The roads are well constructed for the accessibility of buses, taxis, and cabs to Munsiyari. To travel further trek has to be done till Nanda Devi Base camp. The distance between Delhi to Munsuyari is 580 km via Almora-Bageshwar- Munsiyari Rd. Kausani to Munsiyari is165 km. Almora to Munsiyari is 198 km. Pithoragarh to Munsiyari is 129 km via NH09 and Jauljibhi - Madkote Rd.

Do’s and Don’ts in Nanda Devi Raj- Jaat Yatra and Nanda Devi Mela

Do’s

• Do cover your head with a piece of cloth and covered dress while entering the temple.
• Be careful from the pickpocketers in the crowd.
• Do try shopping and tasting local handicrafts and food.
• Do wear your mask and maintain distance in the crowd.

Don’ts

• Do not practice any activity that can offense local’s cultural beliefs
• Do not wear any inappropriate clothes to temples and religious places.
• Do not carry any valuable items in crowded places.