The Nanda Devi Raj Jat is an event which is eagerly awaited not only by people of our country every twelve years, but also by people all around the world. The historical, religious, spiritiual and adventurous Yatra (Jat) is the biggest cultural and religious journey held in Uttarakhand.
This ‘Royal Pilgrimage’, scheduled to begin on Thursday, has been postponed due to the recent natural disaster in the hill State and will now be held next year. The goddess Nanda is worshipped throughout the hill areas of Uttarakhand, both in Kumaon and in Garhwal, and this yatra is one of the strong cultural links between these two regions of the hill State.
Once every twelve years, a sea of devotees gathers at Nauti village in Chamoli to perform the ceremonial rite of escorting the goddess, with her dowry, to the place of her in-laws. In an arduous 300 kilometres trek through catchment areas of the tributaries of Ganga, dense forests and picturesque bugyals (meadows), the daughter of the hills and the consort of lord Shiva is reached uptill Homkund lake which is flanked by the Trishul peak (the trident of Shiva) on one side and Kamet on the other.
The colourful scene of this ancient yatra has been described in countless folk songs of Garhwal. Palanquins carrying various gods and goddesses and many hued umbrellas are unique features of the Nanda Devi Pilgrimage. The last yatra took place in the year 2000.
Parvati is known as Nanda in Uttarakhand and is the most popular goddess in these hills. The highest peak here is Nanda Devi and there are a large number of Nanda Devi temples all over Garhwal and Kumaon. The pilgrimage is a unique symbol of the all the awe inspiring beliefs and legends which abound in this Himalayan region.
It is a belief that just before every Raj Jat, a four horned lamb is born in Nauti village and this ram leads the yatra throughout uptill the last. After that, the horned lamb disappears. The Nanda Raj Jat was started by the Rajas of Garhwal with the help of their religious representatives, the Nautiyal Brahmins. The Raj jat takes place in late August /early September when the goddess returns from her parental home in Nauti where she spends the month of August.
lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country and abroad gather in the Uttarakhand Himalayas every 12 years to be part of this grand religio-cultural event - this "Kumbh of the Himalayas." Many places in Garhwal and Kumaon have smaller annual Jats (yatras) as well as special worship at Nanda temples and fairs.