Chamoli, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : The much-anticipated Grand Pilgrimage of Nanda Devi, which occurs every 12 years, commenced on Saturday from the Nanda Devi shrine in Kurud, located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media to encourage people to visit the site upon their arrival in the district.
In a post on the social media platform X, Dhami described the Nanda Devi temple as a divine convergence of devotion, faith, and Himalayan culture. He highlighted the sacred site’s significance, emphasizing its deep connection to Uttarakhand’s rich traditions. The local pilgrimage, known as Nanda Devi Lokjat and Rajjat, symbolizes the vibrant folk traditions and profound faith of the region. He urged visitors to ensure they experience the temple’s blessings during their time in Chamoli.
The Nanda Devi shrine in Kurud is considered the maternal home of the goddess. The temple houses a self-manifested four-armed stone idol of Nanda Devi (Parvati). In Kurud, the goddess’s palanquin is represented in two main forms: Kurud Badhan and Kurud-Dasholi.
The Grand Pilgrimage, which began on Saturday, will cover a distance of 296 kilometers, with five uninhabited and 21 populated stops along the way. The journey will conclude at Kailas/Homkund on September 20, after which the goddess’s palanquin will return. The pilgrimage will officially end on September 30. Married daughters return to their maternal homes to partake in this revered journey.
Every year, the Kurud Badhan palanquin visits the Badhan region during the local pilgrimage. After performing rituals at Vedni Kund, it returns to the Devrada temple in its maternal home. Thousands of devotees participate in this local pilgrimage, which sees the goddess’s palanquin residing at Kurud Dham during the Makar Sankranti festival after a six-month stay at Devrada.
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