Pic from : Peak Ware
Nanda Devi or the bliss giving goddess is a two peaked massif. Located in Garhwal Himalaya, between the Rishiganga and the Goriganga valleys, it was the highest known mountain in the world till 1808.
To the north lies the Uttari Nanda Devi Glacier, to the southwest the Dakkhni Nanda Devi Glacier, to the east the Pachu Glacier, to the south east the Nandaghunti and Lawan Glaciers, and to the south the Pindari Glacier.
When the mountain was climbed in 1936 by a British American expedition, it became the highest peak climbed by man until the 1950 ascent of Annapurna.
17 of the 19 communities residing nearby are of Bhotia extraction, an Indo-Tibetan people. "Bhotia" originating from "Bo", which is the native Tibetan word for Tibet. While cultural differences exist between the Jadhs, Marchas, Tolchas and the Shaukas, the main Bhotia groups, they share a distinct physical appearance.
Most of these groups led a migratory lifestyle till the Sino-Indian war of 1962. Commercial exploitation of the forests in the area resulted in the Chipko movement, one of the first modern day environmental movements.
In 1988, the Nanda Devi National Park was converted into a full fledged biosphere reserve. In the spring of 2003, the new director of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve opened up the reserve to limited tourism for the first time in 20 years.
Nanda Devi is considered the patron goddess of Uttarakhand and every 12 years, in the months of August-September a pilgrimage stretching nearly 300 kms is held in her honour. Going back to the 9th century AD, Nanda Devi Raj Jat is symbolic of seeing off Goddess Nanda to her consort Lord Shiva's abode in higher Himalayas after her stay at her parent's place in the lower Himalayas.
The pilgrimage is hazardous and is led by a four horned ram or Khadu, said to be born every 12 years in Chandpurpatti region of Karnaprayag.
The next Raj Jat would be held in 2012.
Sources :
Garhwal Tourism
Nanda Devi Campaign
Wikipedia : Nanda Devi, Nanda Devi Raj Jat
Related Posts :
Dr. Shiv Prasad Naithani "Uttarakhand Gathaon Ka Rehesya" : 30.07.2010
Mountains of Uttarakhand : Top 10 Peaks : 25.01.2009
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