Famous Pandav Dance of Sutol Village in Chamoli district of Himalayan Uttarakhand. This dance is done by village artists when Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra reaches to village on its way back from Homkund to Nauti (It was 4th September 2014 this year). This folk dance has been played here since centuries, remembering incidents from epic Mahabharata. Whole village and returning Yatris of Rajjaat gather at village square in front of local temple at night, while artists perform one after another. Himalayan pilgrimage of Nanda Rajjaat Yatra, termed as Himalayan Kumbh, takes place in not less than 12 years. A culture well preserved in the region, mainly due to its distant location which keeps it at arms length from changes coming in the society... ...
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Rajjaat concludes amidst enthusiasm braving tough weather Thousands of people gave an emotional send-off to their mythical daughter Nanda Devi at Homkund at an altitude of almost 16 thousand feet right at the base of Nanda Ghunti peak (in Uttarakhand in Himalayan India), bringing to close a much awaited Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra which takes place in not less than 12 years. Called as Himalayan Kumbh and longest religious procession in Asia, this 290 km Yatra started from Nauti near Karnprayag in Uttarakhand on 18th August and ended at same place on morning of 7th September after customary rituals. Nanda was bid adieu at Homkund on 3rd September. Comparing to last two occasions in 1987 and 2000, number of pilgrims as well as the Chantolis (canopies) representing various goddesses in Ku...
Read MoreRajjaat Yatra is underway with much enthusiasm Nanda Devi Rajjaat has completed its first circuit on way to Homkund in Himalayas for its once in 12 years visit. After starting from Nauti on 18th morning, Yatra reached Ira Badhani in the evening for the first halt. Second day it came back from Ira Badhani to Nauti. Today on the third day of its journey it is coming to Kansuwa again, thus completing a full circle of its initial journey before leaving for tougher part ahead. Kansuwa is the village of descendants of the erstwhile royal family of Garhwal. The tradition of yatra believed to be started by King Shalipal in 7th century is still followed by his representatives in Kansuwa, currently being Dr. Rakesh Kunwar, who also heads the Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra organizing committ...
Read MoreWith rains relenting a bit on Saturday (16th August 2014), the festivities of Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra took off with a religious fervor when mythical four-horned sheep and the Raj Chantoli (a small palanquin with Nanda Devi’s small decorated idol) of Nanda Devi reached Kansuwa village near Nauti in Uttarakhand. Kansuwa is village of descendants of erstwhile royal family (raj kunwars) who have been traditionally organizing the Nanda Devi Rajjaat. Earlier both the sheep and the Chantoli were brought to the Adi Badri temple where they were received by the Kunwars of Kansuwa represented by Dr. Rakesh Kunwar who is also the president of Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra organizing committee. After traditional rituals and offerings, they were taken to Nauti. Traditionally the four horned sheep leads t
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