Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra 2012

‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’ is a living example of unflinching faith of the people of Garhwal and Kumaon hill region in Goddess ‘Nanda and Lord Shiva to whom they worship since the Puranic days. It is believed that Lord Shiva had his abode in the vicinity of Trishuli and Kailash mountain ranges of Gahrwal and Kumaon Himalays. ‘Parvati’, the cosort of Lord Shiva, believed to have taken rebirth as ‘Nanda’ whom the people had seen as their daughter. When ‘Nanda’ decided to go back to Lord Shiva, the people accepted her as goddess ‘Nanda Devi’. Retunr of goddess ‘Nanda Devi’ to her in-laws place i.e. the abode of Lord Shiva must have been a highly scared and religious event of that time. Subsequently to commemorate this great religious event i.e. return of ‘Nanda Devi’ to her in-laws place the abode of Lord Shiva, came to be known as ‘Nanda Devi’ are in existence in Garhwal and Kumaon hill region clearly indicating the deep rooted faith of the people in goddess ‘Nanda Devi’.

It is believed that the ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’ in its present form started something during 9th century AD by the ancestors of the king of Garhwal. The king of of chandpur Garhi, with the guidance of his ‘Brahmin’ Gurs from village Nauti, had established the holy ‘Yatra’ representing goddess ‘Nanda’ prayer meeting. The ancient tradition of each sub- group taking ‘Nanda Jats’ individually was combined by the king into one royal pilgrimage which was performed once in twelve years. Later on Raja Ajay Pal (Sheshpal) of Chandgarhi started the ‘Nanda Raj Jat’ sametime during 15th century AD. Thereafter the pilgrimage is being traditionally led and performed by the successors of the Royal family. ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’, the members of the royal family alongwith their ‘Purohit’ seek forgiveness from ‘Nanda Devi’ and offer ‘Tarpan’ (a ritual followed by Hindus to remember and to offer food to their dead ancestors) for their ancestors who died at Roopkund aglonwith his pregnant wife and courtesan.

After the shifting of panwar dynasty, the responsibility of performing Puja and Nanda Devi Raj Jat after every twelve years fell on his younger borther who continued to live at ‘Kansua’ near Chandpur Garhi. It is to be believed that a Four horned ram takes birth in any one of the house well before the next due date of ‘Raj Jat’ which is accepted as the arrival of ‘Nanda Devi’ to her birth place or mothers home. This automatically brings joy and happiness among the whole population of the area and blessings of goddess ‘Nanda’ for the well being of the people. This unique but ancient tradition of ‘Puranic’ era has brought the people closest to their God and goddesses because they treat ‘Nanda Devi’ as their daughter as well as a deity.

In brief, the traditional Puja of Nanda Devi and the Raj jat (Yatra) is conducted and led by the Kunwars (Prince) of Kansua under the guidance Brahmin Purohits of village Nauti after every twelve years. The Puja involves sending back of Nanda Devi to her in –laws home i.e. the abode of Lord Shiva. Ndnda Dvi is seen in form of ‘four horned ram’ and a living symbol of the deity as well as daughter. The Puja and the long pilgrimage is accompanied by Puja songs and Jaggar Geet conveying the deep faith of the people in goddess Nanda Devi on one hand and heart felt sorrow and painful separation from ‘Nanda Devi’ due to her departure to her in-laws home i.e. the abode of Lord Shiva.

The route of the ‘Raj Jat’ involves 280 km of trekking starting from village Nauti, 25 km. from Karanprayag to finally reaching up to the height of 17500 ft. mountain ranges covered with snow before the final send off Kailash (Trishuli Peak). The last ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’ wat performed from 22 August, 2000 to 8 September, 2000 with nineteen halts in route. Special arrangements are made enroute at each halt to enable thousands of devotees from the surrounding villages to offer prayer. Participate in the ‘Puja’ and seek blessings of goddess ‘Nanda’ before bidding final farewell. Other attractions of the ‘Raj Jat’ is that Chahatoli (specially prepared umbrealla of ‘Ringal’ canewood carrying Doli of their family deities and also of ‘Nanda Devi’) representing various groups of village are brought to participate in the pilgrimage after performing ‘Puja’ and other ritual in accordance to the laid tradition of the past.

The 280 km. trekking route of ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’ is as follows: From village Nauti –Erabadhani- Nauti – Kansua – Sem- Chandpur Garhi – Koti Bhagoti – Kulsari – Chepru- Nand Keshri – Faldiya Gaun- Mundoli – Wan- Gairoli Patal – Patar Nachniya – Jyuranglidhar – Shila Samundra (17,500 ft) Homkund. After the the final prayer return via- Chandniaghat – Sutol- Ghat and Nauti.

The final farewell to goddess ‘Nanda Devi’ and her departure to ‘Kailash’ is a tourching scene for the devotees who perform final prayer, rituals and offering before the loaded ‘Four horned ram’ represent ‘Ndna devi’ proceeds alone towards Kailash (Trishuli Peak), the abode of Lord Shiva. Few thousand devotees who are able to accompany the ‘Raj Jat’ up to the final stage could be seen in tears when ‘Nanda Devi’ is given final send off to her in-law place, the abode of Lord Shiva. Due to fast developing modern time communication system. ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat’ has started attracting tourist and pilgrims from all over the World.