Jai Maa Nanda! ๐
The sacred land of the Himalayas is once again ready to witness one of the most profound spiritual pilgrimages of India โ Shri Nanda Devi Raj Rajeshwari Badi Jat Yatra 2026. As announced on the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami, Maa Nanda Devi has blessed her devotees with the divine confirmation that the grand Raj Jat will take place in 2026 at its destined time.
This rare and majestic yatra, often called the Himalayan Mahakumbh, is organised once every 12 years and is considered the longest pedestrian religious pilgrimage in the world, covering nearly 280 kilometres through some of the most remote, breathtaking, and spiritually charged Himalayan landscapes.
Spiritual Beginning: Siddhpeeth Kurud
The main Raj Jat will commence on 5 September 2026 from Siddhpeeth Kurud, the sacred seat of Maa Nanda Devi. The ceremonial farewell (Vidai) will take place around 4 PM, marking the emotional departure of the Goddess from her maternal home towards her celestial abode.
Nanda Devi Raj Jat 2026 โ En-Route Plan (Highlights)
From Kurud, the yatra will progress day by day through traditional halts, ancient villages, alpine meadows, and revered temples. Below is a reader-friendly overview of the route, as derived from the images:
Initial Himalayan Villages
- Chirbang โ Mathkot โ Ustoli โ Bheti โ Dungri
- Devotees pass through sacred shrines and village temples, with night halts arranged traditionally by local communities.
Towards Inner Himalaya
- Suna โ Chepdi โ Nandkeshari โ Phalyagaon โ Mundoli
- The yatra gathers scale here, with cultural gatherings and age-old rituals continuing each evening.
Vaan to High Altitude Sacred Grounds
- Vaan โ Gairoli Patal โ Bedni Bugyal
- Bedni Bugyal is one of the most spiritually powerful stops, where Nanda Sammelan and special poojas are performed amidst vast alpine meadows.
Mythical Landscapes
- Pathar Nachauni โ Shila Samudra
- These locations are deeply rooted in local legends and are considered thresholds between the earthly and divine realms.
Final Sacred Stretch
- Homkund (Havan & Prasad Vitaran)
- Jamn Dali โ Sutol โ Kuling โ Lwani โ Ulang
- The yatra moves through extremely remote regions, often referred to as โNo Manโs Landโ, requiring immense discipline, devotion, and coordination.
Completion
- The Raj Jat culminates on 30 September 2026, completing Maa Nanda Deviโs celestial journey.
A Living Tradition, A Collective Responsibility
The Raj Jat is not merely a pilgrimage โ it is a living tradition where villagers, yatris, volunteers, and organisers come together to manage food, medical aid, rescue services, helipads, and logistics in some of the toughest terrains on earth.
Memories from the 2014 Raj Jat, especially the management of facilities from Vaan to Homkund, still stand as a testament to Maa Nanda Deviโs grace and the collective strength of her devotees.
DAY-WISE ITINERARY: NANDA DEVI RAJ JAT 2026
Day 1 โ 5 September 2026
Siddhpeeth Kurud โ Chirbang
๐ Vidai at 4 PM
The journey begins from Siddhpeeth Kurud, the sacred maternal seat of Maa Nanda Devi. Amidst emotional farewells, rituals, and Vedic chants, the Goddess symbolically leaves her เคฎเคพเคฏเคเคพ (maternal home). The first night halt is at Chirbang, where villagers welcome the yatra with devotion and traditional hospitality.
Night Halt: Chirbang
Day 2 โ 6 September 2026
Chirbang โ Kudsangad โ Mathkot
The yatra advances through forested paths and river crossings, reaching Mathkot, an important cultural halt. Devotional singing, local rituals, and community prayers mark the evening.
Night Halt: Mathkot
Day 3 โ 7 September 2026
Mathkot โ Dhargaon โ Siddheshwar Mandir (Nandanagar) โ Ustoli
Passing through Nandanagar, devotees seek blessings at the Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple, symbolising the eternal presence of Bhole Shankar with Maa Nanda.
Night Halt: Ustoli
Day 4 โ 8 September 2026
Ustoli โ Sarpani โ Lankhi โ Bheti
The route climbs gently, with breathtaking mountain views. Bheti is known for its disciplined arrangements and age-old Raj Jat traditions.
Night Halt: Bheti
Day 5 โ 9 September 2026
Bheti โ Syari Bangali โ Dungri
Dungri village is spiritually important, believed to be associated with Nanda Deviโs childhood legends.
Night Halt: Dungri
Day 6 โ 10 September 2026
Dungri โ Kera Mena โ Suna
The terrain begins to change, becoming more remote. Devotees mentally prepare for the tougher Himalayan stretch ahead.
Night Halt: Suna
Day 7 โ 11 September 2026
Suna โ Dharali โ Rajbagad โ Chepdi
Rajbagad is a historically significant halt where administrative coordination intensifies.
Night Halt: Chepdi
Day 8 โ 12 September 2026
Chepdi โ Kothi โ Nandkeshari
Nandkeshari Temple is one of the most revered shrines of Maa Nanda Devi. Large congregations join here, swelling the yatra.
Night Halt: Nandkeshari
Day 9 โ 13 September 2026
Nandkeshari โ Kumpani โ Dewal โ Iccholi โ Phalyagaon
Cultural programs and devotional storytelling continue through the evening.
Night Halt: Phalyagaon
Day 10 โ 14 September 2026
Phalyagaon โ Kandai โ Latu โ Lwani โ Mundoli
The Latu Devta Temple near Mundoli is highly sacred; silence is traditionally observed in reverence.
Night Halt: Mundoli
Day 11 โ 15 September 2026
Mundoli โ Lohajang โ Karthik Swami Devi Latu Milan โ Vaan
Vaan village is the last major human settlement. Beyond this lies the legendary โNo Manโs Landโ.
Night Halt: Vaan
Day 12 โ 16 September 2026
Vaan โ Ranadhar โ Gairoli Patal
The yatra officially enters high-altitude Himalayan wilderness.
Night Halt: Gairoli Patal
Day 13 โ 17 September 2026
Gairoli Patal โ Doladhar โ Bedni Bugyal
One of the most iconic moments of the Raj Jat. Bedni Bugyal, a vast alpine meadow, hosts the Nanda Sammelan and special poojas.
Night Halt: Bedni Bugyal
Day 14 โ 18 September 2026
Bedni Bugyal โ Patar Nachauni
A mystical meadow associated with divine dances and legends.
Night Halt: Patar Nachauni
Day 15 โ 19 September 2026
Patar Nachauni โ Kailva Vinayak โ Roopkund โ Jyuragali โ Shila Samudra
This stretch passes near Roopkund, the mysterious Skeleton Lake.
Night Halt: Shila Samudra
Day 16 โ 20 September 2026
Shila Samudra โ Panchanga โ Homkund
๐ฅ Havan & Prasad Distribution
The spiritual climax of the yatra. Sacred havans are performed at Homkund, marking Maa Nanda Deviโs return to her celestial abode.
Return Journey (Dakshin Path)
From 21 to 30 September 2026, the yatra gradually returns through:
- Jamn Dali
- Sutol
- Vaan
- Kuling
- Lwani
- Ulang
- Bershar
- Gorinda
- Kurud
- Dakhouli (30 September โ Conclusion)
Why Nanda Devi Raj Jat Is Unparalleled
- ๐ 280 km Himalayan foot pilgrimage
- ๐ฑ Once-in-12-years sacred tradition
- ๐ Massive coordination of medical, rescue & logistics
- ๐ฟ Harmony of devotion, ecology & culture
Final Words
Nanda Devi Raj Jat is not merely a yatra โ it is faith walking barefoot across the Himalayas, a collective surrender to Maa Nandaโs will.
May Maa Nanda Devi bless all yatris with strength, discipline, and divine protection.
Jai Maa Nanda Devi ๐ธ
