The Royal Pilgrimage (Nanda Rajjat) take place in Northern part of India, in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, held in every 12 years. The legacy can be traced back to the 15th century from the period of Jasdhaval's the King of Garhwal Himalayan Region. Every year local folk organize the Nanda Devi fare in all part of Garhwal and Kumaun Himalayan region. This long term project I’m working on since last five years, both local Nanda fare and the Royal Pilgrimage, the big Royal Pilgrimage held in 2014. For more images please visit - http://www.deepakkathait.com/nandadevirajjattheroyalpilgrimage
The Royal Pilgrimage (Nanda Rajjat) take place in Northern part of India, in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, held in every 12 years. (Nanda Rajjat) also known as The ‘’Kumbh of Himalayas’’ The pilgrimage and the festival of Garhwal and Kumaun Himalayan region.
Nanda Devi, meaning ‘’Goddess Nanda Devi’’ Nanda Devi Peak (second highest Mountain in India) named after Goddess ‘’Nanda Devi’’ ‘’Rajjat’’ meaning Royal Journey.
The legacy can be traced back to the 15th century Jasdhaval's the King, his queen Vallabha, was the daughter of rulers of Chandapur of Garhwal Himalayan region). The queen was cursed by Goddess Nanda Devi. Because of this, her kingdom became victim of drought, famine and many other natural calamities. The king's irreverence earned the Goddess' wrath, who caused a very heavy snowfall that night. It was followed a deadly avalanche in which the entire royal entourage perished. Some persons are said to have slipped into the nearby Roopkund lake and died. Thus began the tradition of offering homage to the King Jasdhaval and worshipping the goddess ‘’Nanda’’ at this point and the tradition of Nanda Rajjat ‘’The Royal Pilgrimage’’ in every twelve years.
Also every year local folk organize the Nanda Devi fare in all part of Garhwal and Kumaun Himalayan region.
A four horned ram carried along the whole royal pilgrimage after the rituals are over, the ram is freed with decorated ornaments, food and clothing’s and the other offerings are discarded to please the goddess Nanda.
The Royal Pilgrimage (Nanda Rajjat) is considered amongst the longest and toughest pilgrimages, a 280-km trek, starting from several part of Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan region through terrains challenging at several different level from dense forests to glaciers ridges and ending with several rituals around Mount Nanda Devi Peak and its sanctuary and finally ends at Homekund (the lack of worship).
For more images please visit - http://www.deepakkathait.com/nandadevirajjattheroyalpilgrimage