In the towering silence of the Himalayas, where clouds brush against ancient snow-capped peaks and rivers murmur age-old hymns, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra stands as a profound testament to faith, endurance, and cultural memory. Set to take place again in 2026, this once-in-12-years pilgrimage will draw thousands of devotees, adventurers, scholars, and seekers from across India and the world to the spiritual highlands of Uttarakhand.
At the centre of this arduous 280-kilometre journey lies not just the physical majesty of Nanda Devi—India’s second-highest peak at 7,816 meters—but the mythic and maternal presence of Devi Nanda, revered as an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. The Yatra retraces the celestial path the goddess is believed to have taken as she leaves her maiti (maternal home) in Nauti village to reunite with her divine husband in Kailash, Tibet.
The Devi and the Myth
In the folklore of Kumaon and Garhwal, Nanda Devi is more than a goddess—she is a daughter, protector, and queen. Her presence permeates every peak, stream, and song of these hills. The Yatra isn’t just a religious rite—it is a re-enactment of a divine drama, where mortals participate in the cosmic tale of separation and reunion.
Legend speaks of her highland fortress, with surrounding peaks like Nanda Khat (cot), Nanda Kot (fortress), and Nanda Bhanar (store) representing her divine household. Even her veil, or hunti, is marked in stone and snow. The trident-bearing Mount Trishul, symbolising Shiva himself, watches over this celestial terrain.
The Journey: A Test of Body and Spirit
The Raj Jat Yatra begins from the village of Nauti, near Karnaprayag in the Garhwal region. Pilgrims, led by priests and villagers, are joined by a specially chosen four-horned ram, said to be born only for this event and believed to carry the spirit of the goddess. A silver palanquin bearing her idol is carried through steep ridges, glacial passes, and sacred meadows.
One of the most iconic locations on the trail is Roopkund, the mysterious glacial lake at 5,029 meters, known for the human skeletons that lie preserved at its bottom. Here, the pilgrims are reminded of the fragility of life and the strength of devotion, as the Yatra weaves together myth, archaeology, and environmental awe.
From Roopkund, the trail ascends to the alpine meadows of Bedni Bugyal and Hemkund, before reaching the final ritual ground at Homkund, beneath the gaze of Nanda Devi herself. There, the four-horned ram disappears into the mountains, symbolising the goddess’s final ascent toward her heavenly abode.
Raj Jat 2026: A Sacred Opportunity
The 2026 edition of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra will mark a new chapter in this millennia-old tradition. With growing global interest in spiritual tourism, pilgrimage ecology, and cultural preservation, the Yatra is expected to see a greater influx of participants and observers. However, the sanctity of the event remains paramount.
Organisers and local communities are already preparing for the influx, ensuring that environmental sustainability, safety, and cultural integrity are upheld. As the Yatra passes through fragile Himalayan ecosystems, it is also a reminder of the deep link between spiritual belief and environmental stewardship—a philosophy central to the Devi myth.
Why the Yatra Matters
In an age of modernity, speed, and disconnection, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra offers a rare return to stillness, endurance, and belonging. It is a journey of the body and the soul, where each step echoes the chants of generations past, and each mountain tells the tale of the divine feminine who shaped the land.
To walk the Yatra in 2026 is to step into the very shadow of the Devi—into a world where myth becomes reality, and nature becomes sacred.
