Know the legends of Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra

New Delhi: Known as "Dev Bhoomi" which means "Land of Gods" the holy land of uttarakhand and the mighty Himalayas offer such unusual and utopian experiences that are difficult to find anywhere else.It is mainly known for its alluring and admiring beauty of Himalayas, lush green hills, the varied flora and fauna and the majestic view of the nature.Known as the MAHAKHUMB of the Himalayas, one such once in a life time experience is the Nanda Devi Raj jat Yatra. Nanda devi raj jat happens once in 12 years - the journey starts from Nauti village accompanying a mystical four-horned sheep and Doli.The legend of the nanda Devi Raj Jat is an important event from spritual point of view as the shrines of Nanda Devi are scattered all over the Central Himalayas.By the hill folk, the Devi is considered as the Isht-Devi.The royal family of Garhwal conducts the Nanda Raj Jat to please the Isht-Devi, in order to seek blessings for a prosperous kingdom and the defeat of their enemies.Nanda devi - the goddess, ( Gaura) daughter of Kings of mountains - is the spiritual goddess for natives of Garhwal and Kumaon region. She was married to ash-smeared, leopard skin wearing yogi ( lord Shiva). The goddess visits her mothers place in these mountains in Bhado - months of August - and her visit is rejoiced by local citizens as a festive time.Every 12-years this occasion becomes all more important and hence the Yatra.Genesis of the tradition:The event marks the coming of Nanda Devi to her mother's place (mait). Three week long Nanda Devi Raj Jat is the most celebrated and popular religious festival of Uttarakhand held once in every twelve years.Devotees from entire Garhwal-Kumaon division as well as other parts of India and the world participate in this yatra.The event finishes when the people of her maiti (mother home), escort her in a procession is called the Nanda Jat. The entire scene is beautifully protrayed in the folk songs and jagars sung by the woman of Uttarakhand. It's a 280 km long trekking pilgrimage spread over 22 days, in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the earth the magnificent Himalayas.The Nanda Raj Jat Yatra starts from Nauti Gaon (Village) which is around 25 Km from Karnprayag, one of among Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand. This yatra goes up to the heights of Roopkund and Homkund and the main attraction of the yatra is a mythical four horned sheep known as CHAUSINGHA KHADU and ‘RINGAL KI CHATOLI' (a devotional symbol to cover Devi Nanda seat like an umbrella).The preparation of the yatra starts when Devi Nanda comes in the dream of a villager of kansua village and prophesies the birth of the four horned sheep.A golden resemble of Devi Nanda is placed in the chatoli and worshipped along with the four horned sheep and a havan is organised. After the havan - yagna is over, the sheep is freed with decorated ornaments, food and clothing's and the other offerings are discarded.Then the kunwar of kansua village bring the Chausingha khadu and Ringal ki Chatoli to Nauti village.With the starting of the yatra thousands and thousands of devotees start walking after the chausinga khadu with more and more people joining along the way covering over 20 picturesque villages and halting points. The tentative route of Nanda Devi Raj Jat is given below:Nauti – Sem – Bhagwati – Kulsari – Chepnue – Dewal – Mundoli – Wan (latu Devta) – Bedni Bugyal – Pathar Nachonia (Kalua Vinayak) – Bhagubasa (Roopkund & through Junar Gali / Jorawar Gali Pass) – Shila Samudra – Latu Khopri – Sutol – Sitel – Ghat.This Journey is a difficult one because of the difficult terrain it goes through. During the journey one passes by a Lake known as Roopkund surrounded by hundreds of ancient skeletons. According to local mythology, once a King took some dancers to this sacred spot. Due to a heavy snowfall the people were trapped and the dancers were transformed into skeltons and stones that can be seen in Patarnachonia.Another myth is this that king Yasodhwal's wife was pregnant and while she was giving birth to her child, her placenta flowed down to Roopkund and this in turn caused the death of the people there.At the end of the journey the Chausingha khadu is not scarified but is left alone to continue the journey to kailash while the devotees return form homkund. The four horned sheep suddenly disappears from the sight of the people and is believed to be accepted by Devi Nanda.Due to Heavy rain and cloud-bust in June 2013, The Propose Nanda Raj Jaa Yatra from 29 August 2013 has been Postpone for this year.The auspicious Yatra will now be conducted from August-18 to September-06, 2014