Nanda Devi Raj Jat

नंदा देवी राज जात

Garhwal region · Chamoli

Pilgrims carry the decorated doli of goddess Nanda on a mountain road
Pilgrims carry the decorated doli of goddess Nanda on a mountain roadPhoto: Pnt. Chandra Prakash Kuniyal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

What Nanda Devi Raj Jat marks

Called the Himalayan Kumbh, this is one of the longest and most revered pilgrimages in the region. Held roughly once every twelve years, it escorts the goddess Nanda Devi on a journey to her mountain home at Homkund, high below the peak that bears her name.

How it's celebrated

A four-horned ram is said to lead the procession, which walks around 280 km on foot from Nauti near Karnaprayag up to Homkund and back, joined by thousands of pilgrims and the ceremonial doli of the goddess. Smaller annual Nanda Devi fairs are held at Almora and Nainital.

The great jat is held only about once every twelve years; the exact year is fixed by tradition and omens, so confirm the schedule locally before planning a visit.