The Mahakumbh of the Himalayas - Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra This August, 100,000 devotees are expected to undertake the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra which happens once in 12 years. The trek starts from Nauti village in the Garhwal Himalayas, accompanying a mystical four-horned sheep, Doli (Palanquin) and all sorts of gifts for the Goddess Nanda Devi, who is treated as a daughter revisiting her mother. In about three weeks time this festive and spiritual journey reaches the Roopkund Lake and to Homkund Lake where they leave the sheep and from here it proceeds on its further journey into the mountains alone and vanishes in the glaciers. Once the ram is released, no one looks in its direction and the procession immediately heads back home. The sanctity of this trek is equal to Kumbh and it is one of the most lively and colourful festivals in the region. The Nanda Raj Jat passes through places, that don’t find mention in most tourist maps. As far as the non-locals are concerned, this religious trek is meant strictly for the die-hard trekkers. Simultaneously this trek presents one the prospect of exploring a real Uttarakhand – its culture, traditions, people, authentic cuisine, ethnic lifestyle and the endemic flora & fauna of the region.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 20:51:16 +0000
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