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 Nanda Devi Raj Jat is an ancient tradition of the Chandpur Gadi region in Chamoli District that dates back to the 10th or 11th Century AD. The Jat takes place once in 12 years and is woven in myths and legends found only in the folk songs of the region.
 The event is heralded by the birth of a male ram with four horns in the Rajput families of the area. Preparations for the event start soon after. On the auspicious day the Jat starts from Nauti village with the Chausinghya Khadu (the four horned male ram) leading the procession all the way to Roopkund.
 The event involves the return of Goddess Nanda to her husband Shiva’s abode on top of the Nanda Ghunghati peak. The 280-km arduous trek is undertaken by thousands of devotees who start from the Nauti Village, 20 km from Karnaprayag and culminates at the mysterious glacial pool, Roopkund.
 The tradition may sound weird but for the people it actually means the going away of their daughter and women are in tears when the congregation leaves their respective villages. Representatives from remote parts of the region send their Chantolis - canopies made from bamboo reeds, which accompany the deity to her home.
The whole story would be rather too long but here are some suggestions if you would like to see this spectacle which takes place only once in 12 years and is scheduled to be held this year.
For the first week the procession does an orbit around the Chandpur Gadi area and returns to Nauti before embarking on a journey across the Pindar River and towards the scenic Bedni bugyal.
- Unless you are keen on watching each and every ceremony, the first 10 days of the Jat could get monotonous.
- You could attend the first two days of ceremonies at Nauti and than take a break for ten days to see other parts of Garhwal.
- Tunganath and Rudranth are not very far and it is possible for you to join the Jat when it reaches Wan or the Bedni and accompany it all the way to Roopkund.
- Living conditions enroute are not quite comfortable and everyone finds his own shelter – in most villages, basic provisions for food and shelter are made by the villagers.
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