Chamoli: Confusion prevails regarding the ‘Nanda Rajjat Yatra’, considered one of Asia’s longest and most arduous treks. On one hand, the dates for the ‘Badi Nanda Jat’ (Grand Nanda Yatra) were announced at the Siddhapeeth Nandadham Kurud on Basant Panchami. The dates were determined through a traditional drawing of lots in the presence of the Gaur priests and the temple committee. According to this, the ‘Badi Nanda Jat’ will be held in 2026. On the other hand, the Shri Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee Nauthi has decided to hold the ‘Nanda Rajjat Yatra’ in 2027.
Dates announced for the Badi Nanda Jat in Kurud: Regarding the historic ‘Badi Nanda Jat 2026’, associated with the faith and traditions of Goddess Nanda Devi, the revered deity of Uttarakhand, the dates were determined through a drawing of lots at the Siddhapeeth Nandadham Kurud in Nandnagar. There, the Pashwa (the person in whom the goddess or deity is believed to be incarnated) of Goddess Nanda Devi announced the commencement of the Grand Yatra with traditional rituals. During this time, proper religious ceremonies were performed in the temple premises, in which a large number of devotees participated.
The Badi Nanda Jat Yatra will begin on September 5: According to the organizing committee, a total of 26 halts have been designated for this year’s ‘Badi Nanda Jat’. As per the schedule, on September 5, 2026, the palanquin of Goddess Nanda Devi will begin its journey from Nandadham Kurud and reach its first halt, Charbang village. After passing through various traditional halts, the palanquin of Goddess Nanda Devi will reach her brother’s village, Wan, on September 16.
Then, on September 20, 2026, the Badi Nanda Jat will proceed from its final halt, Shila Samudra, to Homkund. There, Goddess Nanda Devi will be bid farewell to Kailash with proper religious ceremonies. After this, the devotees will return to Jamun Dali according to tradition. Thus, the Badi Nanda Jat Yatra will take place this year. Meanwhile, the Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee of Nautti has announced that the Nanda Rajjat Yatra or Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra will be held in 2027. The Nanda Rajjat Yatra will be held in 2027, the announcement was made in Nautti: On the other hand, the Shri Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee of Nautti has decided to hold the Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra next year, i.e., in 2027. Rajkunwar Dr. Rakesh Kunwar made this announcement at the Nanda Devi Temple in Nautti. The day-wise schedule for the Nanda Devi Rajjat will be released on the day of Basant Panchami in 2027. On this occasion, prayers were offered in Nautti for the successful conduct of the Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra next year. After this, the Chhantoli was installed in the Shaileshwar Shiva temple.
To hold the Nanda Devi Rajjat next year, the royal family members of Kansuwa offered prayers and made vows at the Nautti temple. On this occasion, devotees participated in the prayers and prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Nanda for the successful conduct of the Nanda Rajjat Yatra next year. The office bearers of the Shri Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee also resolved to improve the basic facilities at every stage to make next year’s Rajjat Yatra a success.
“The Nanda Rajjat was only proposed for 2026. The announcement of the Rajjat is made during the Manauti ceremony. Therefore, it has been decided today that the Rajjat will be held in 2027. The first ritual was held in Maudvi in 2024, and now the second ritual, the Manauti ceremony, is underway. According to astrological calculations during the Manauti ceremony, the announcement of holding the Nanda Rajjat in 2027 will be made. Also, the day-wise schedule for the Nanda Devi Rajjat will be released on Basant Panchami in 2027,” said Bhuvan Nautiyal, General Secretary, Shri Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee.
Thus, the Nanda Devi Rajjat Committee of Kansuwa-Nautti remained firm on its decision regarding the earlier postponement. The reason given was that it was not possible to conduct the Rajjat Yatra this year due to the Malmas (inauspicious month). Meanwhile, the administration is also in a state of confusion regarding the Nanda Rajjat Yatra.
“Currently, two different dates have been suggested for the Nanda Devi Rajjat. The administration is trying to bring together members of the committees from both villages to reach a consensus on a single date. However, no agreement has been reached so far. The administration’s efforts are still ongoing,” said Gaurav Kumar, District Magistrate, Chamoli.
It is worth noting that a Mahapanchayat (grand council) was recently held in Nandanagar regarding the world-famous Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra. A unanimous decision was made that the Nanda Rajjat Yatra would definitely be held in 2026. It was also decided that the yatra would henceforth be known not as ‘Nanda Rajjat’ but as ‘Nanda ki Badi Jaat’ or ‘Badi Nanda Jaat’ (Thuli Jaat). However, the Shri Nanda Rajjat Committee, Nauthi, had suggested holding the Nanda Rajjat Yatra in 2027.
