Nanda Devi Raj Jat FAQ

Overview

The Raj Jat generates many questions, particularly from those attending for the first time or those from outside the Garhwali community. These answers draw on the 2014 yatra as the most recent reference and on the documented history of the event across its ten recorded editions since 1905.

Travel Planning

About the Raj Jat — General Questions

What is the Nanda Devi Raj Jat?

The Nanda Devi Raj Jat is a 12-yearly pilgrimage in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalaya. It follows the procession of the goddess Nanda Devi from her natal home in Nauti village (1,400m) to Homkund (4,800m), a sacred alpine lake. The procession is approximately 280 km and takes 21–24 days. It is one of the largest and most significant religious events in the Garhwali cultural world.

When is the next Nanda Devi Raj Jat?

The next Raj Jat is expected approximately 12 years after the 2014 edition, pointing to 2026. However, the actual date is not predetermined — it is declared only after the appearance of the kholusiya ram (a four-horned ram) in the Nauti area. The kholusiya may appear 11–14 years after the previous yatra. Monitor official announcements from Chamoli district, Uttarakhand Tourism and GMVN for the official declaration, which typically comes 6–12 months before the yatra.

Who can attend the Raj Jat?

Anyone can attend — the Raj Jat is a public pilgrimage, not a closed or restricted event. Participants of all religions, nationalities and backgrounds are welcome on the procession route and at the ceremonies, subject to respecting the cultural and religious protocols (removing footwear at temples, not touching the doli or kholusiya, dressing modestly). Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit for the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve sections above Wan, obtained from the Foreigners Registration Office in Gopeshwar.

What is the kholusiya?

The kholusiya is a four-horned ram — an extremely rare natural genetic variant found occasionally in the native sheep flocks of the Nauti and surrounding villages. When a four-horned ram appears in the Nauti area, it is held to be Nanda Devi's chosen carrier for the upcoming journey and its identification triggers the formal declaration of the Raj Jat. The kholusiya leads the procession across the full route and is released at Homkund at the journey's end, believed to transcend to the divine realm.

How many people attend the Raj Jat?

The 2014 Raj Jat saw approximately 5 lakh (500,000) participants across the full duration. Attendance at the Nauti starting ceremony and the Wan–Homkund high section is highest; the middle stages through the lower valleys draw tens of thousands daily. Given diaspora growth and improved connectivity, the next yatra may exceed 2014's attendance.

Logistics — Permits, Registration, Planning

What permits do I need for the Raj Jat?

Two permits are required for the high-altitude section above Wan: (1) GMVN Yatra Permit — issued by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam at their offices in Rishikesh, Gopeshwar or Wan. Requires passport photo, government ID copy and medical fitness certificate. Fee: approximately ₹500–₹700. (2) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Forest Department Entry Permit — issued at the Forest Department checkpoint at Wan. Required for entry into the buffer zone above the treeline. Fee: approximately ₹100–₹300. Foreign nationals additionally need an Inner Line Permit from the Foreigners Registration Office, Gopeshwar.

Is advance registration required for the Raj Jat procession?

For the full 21-day procession from Nauti, some form of registration or coordination with the Raj Jat organising committee (operating through the Nauti gram panchayat and the state government) is advisable, particularly for large groups. For individual trekkers joining at Wan for the high-altitude section, the GMVN Yatra Permit serves as the primary registration. The specific registration process for the 2028 yatra will be announced by the organising committee; watch the Chamoli district and GMVN websites for registration portal launch.

Can I do just the Wan–Homkund section without the full procession?

Yes — the majority of independent trekkers and non-Garhwali participants join at Wan and trek to Homkund with the procession over 7–9 days. This is the most accessible and most physically intense section of the yatra, covering the dramatic high-altitude landscape between 2,440m and 4,800m. You do not need to start from Nauti to participate meaningfully in the Raj Jat.

Physical Questions

How fit do I need to be for the Raj Jat high-altitude section?

For the Wan–Homkund section (7–9 days, max altitude 4,800m): you need good cardiovascular fitness — the ability to walk 10–15 km per day on mountain terrain with a 5–8 kg backpack. Prior trekking experience at altitude above 3,000m is strongly recommended. If you have never trekked at altitude before, complete at least one acclimatisation trek above 3,000m before the Raj Jat.

What is the minimum age for the high-altitude trek?

There is no fixed minimum age rule for the Raj Jat. Children have participated in the procession sections. For the high-altitude section above Wan, children under 12 are not recommended above Bedni Bugyal (3,354m) due to altitude AMS risk. The GMVN medical fitness requirement implicitly excludes those with significant health conditions regardless of age. Responsible adult supervision is essential for children at any section of the high-altitude route.

History & Culture

The Raj Jat's FAQ culture itself reflects the growing reach of the yatra. In the 1974 and 1987 editions, the event was almost exclusively attended by Garhwali communities from within Uttarakhand. The 2000 and 2014 editions saw the first significant internet documentation of the Raj Jat — with blogs, videos and social media coverage reaching the global diaspora in real time and generating the first wave of "outsider" questions: How do I get there? Can non-Hindus attend? What is a kholusiya? The questions above reflect this evolution of the Raj Jat's audience.

Tips

• For the most accurate permit and date information, contact GMVN directly at their Rishikesh or Gopeshwar offices — information on third-party websites (including this one) may be outdated closer to the yatra.
• Join Uttarakhandi diaspora groups on social media — Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities for UK/USA/UAE Uttarakhandis are often the first to circulate kholusiya sighting news and official date declarations, sometimes before government websites update.

Additional FAQs

Is there accommodation at Bedni Bugyal and Homkund during the Raj Jat?

At Bedni Bugyal (3,354m), GMVN has a rest house complex that is expanded with additional tented accommodation during the Raj Jat. Pre-booking is essential — demand overwhelms supply. Private tent operators also set up during the yatra. At Homkund (4,800m), there is no permanent accommodation — participants camp in tents for 1–2 nights at the most. Tent hire at Wan: ₹150–₹300/day. For the 2028 yatra, GMVN accommodation will need to be booked as early as the booking system opens, which is typically 3–6 months before the yatra.

What language is spoken during the Raj Jat ceremonies?

The ceremonies are primarily in Garhwali (a local language distinct from Hindi, spoken by approximately 2.5 million people in Garhwal). The Mangal Geet songs and jagar invocations are in Garhwali. Hindi is used for administrative announcements and conversations with non-Garhwali participants. English-speaking guides can provide translation and context. Learning a few key Garhwali phrases — "jai Nanda Ma" (glory to Mother Nanda), "khaama ghani" (thank you/respect) — before attending is warmly received.