Nandadevi Raj Jat

Nandadevi Raj Jat is an important religious event of Chamoli district in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It involves a long trek in order to take the area’s reigning deity – Goddess Nanda to her divine destination of Gaungati peak which is believed to be the abode of her consort, Lord Shiva. The Raj Jat (originally Raj Yatra-the royal journey) is taken up every 12 years, after elaborate preparations by the descendants of the royal priests now living at village Nauti and the royal class of Kunwars living in Kansuwar. The purpose of the 280 kilometer long arduous trek undertaken by thousands of devotees is to escort the Goddess to her in-laws place. The Jat resembles the postnuptial rite of ceremonially seeing off a daughter as she leaves for her husband’s home with all her personal effects and dowry.

The event starts off on an interesting note when priests and patrons associated with this ancient tradition assemble and put their heads together to draw a time schedule for the retinue to reach the scheduled spots on the itinerary on specific auspicious dates. The objective is to reach Hom Kund on Nandastmi, falling sometime around August-September and Kulsari on the succeeding new moon day for performing special rituals related to worshiping of the Goddess.

Soon after the time-schedule is finalized, the customary chief patron of the event, the prince of Kanswa arrives in Nauti to seek the blessings of the Goddess and organize the Jat. He brings offerings including Ringal-Ki-Chhantoli, a specially prepared umbrella and a four horned ram. Goddess Nanda’s idol, which is made of gold, is placed on the Ringal-Ki-Chhantoli which becomes the seat of the deity.

The four horned ram acts as guide and also the carrier of personal effects of the Goddess. The ram leads the Jat on the tortuous trek and when it rests during the night, it sleeps near the image of the Goddess. On the last day of the journey after the final puja, the ram leaves alone towards the snow-clad peaks and gets lost in the wilderness

The genesis of Nanda worship is wrapped in mystery. However, most scholars agree that its genesis dates back to the 9th century or even before. According to the folk songs sung at Nauti during this Jat, King Shalipal of Chandpur Garhi is said to have laid the foundation of this tradition. He directed his royal priests to worship the Goddess according to his instructions.

After performing special worship of the other Goddesses-Bhumial Devi (Goddess Earth), Utrai Devi and Archna Devi– all popular deities of the region, he preserved a meticulous record of the yatra programme to escort Goddess Nanda to her in-law's place every 12 years. He entrusted his royal priests residing at Nauti the responsibility to execute the Jat with the help of royal patronage and local people. The king also authorized his younger brother, settled in the nearby village of Kansava, to represent the royal house in this Yatra and help the priest perform all rites and rituals connected with this event.

Since then, the tradition of the Jat has continued to this day. After every 12 years, it originates from Nauti after elaborate rituals. The image of the Goddess and offerings are taken in a procession, accompanied by barefooted devotees. The followers observe self-control, partaking of food prepared according to prescribed religious instructions only and participate in fervent rendition of devotional songs and dances. The entourage halts at night. People from villages on the way turn up in large numbers, have darshan and make offerings to the deity. Many people join the group and remain with it till the yatra concludes. The accompanying group of devotees swells with every passing day. Night halts are made at specific villages on the itinerary where all necessary arrangements for the boarding and lodging of the retinue are made by the villagers. Special pujas and rituals are performed at every halt. Groups from far and near join the procession with their own idols and umbrellas. Prominent among such are the groups from Kurud near Ghat, Lata near Tapovan and Almora in Kumaon. Some 300 idols and decorated umbrellas assemble at Waan. It is a tradition in this village to keep all houses in readiness for use by the yatris. The doors are kept unlocked on the day the Jat arrives here.

The Jat concludes on the 22nd day (Nandastami) at Hom Kund, about one kilometer from the foothills of Nanda-Trisuli peak. Before reaching the final destination, the Jat has to cross the crucial Jyunva gali/Rupkund cliff which is difficult to negotiate.

The priests and devotees at Hom Kund offer special prayers and rituals and load their offerings on the four horned ram. The Goddess is decorated in special bridal make up and is given a tearful farewell. It is a pathetic scene with all the devotees in tears, as if they are bidding farewell to their own daughter, leaving for her in-laws’ home to meet her husband. The image of the Goddess is left there. The four horned ram proceeds towards Kailash (Trishuli peak), the abode of Lord Shiva on its own. The peak is a part of Nanda Parvat which is the highest mountain of the Chamoli district and is widely revered by one and all. Women of the area believe that the mist around the Nanda Kot peak is the smoke coming out of the kitchen of Goddess Nanda. So overwhelming is their feeling for the Goddess that they become incredibly sentimental and break into tears while singing the songs associates with their revered Goddess whom they regard as a pampered daughter of their own.