Nanda Devi Annual Festival in Uttarakhand:Enactment of Jubilation, Myths and Tradition

Bhagwati Nanda, mythlogically and traditionally worshiped as a manifestation of goddess gaura (Parvati) wife of lord Shiva. She is the only folk goddess who enjoys equal regard and recognition in perhaps every part of Uttarakhand and Himalaya. Loved, venerated and invoked as a divine daughter of the Himalaya. Nanda is often looked as a protector of Himalayan people, well being and prosperity. This paper is an attempt to describe the myths, rituals and traditions in Nanda Devi annual festival which is celebrated every year by the people of Uttarakhand. The paper consists a lot of narratives about why it is celebrated and also describes different types of rituals and traditions which are celebrated during the festival time such as group- dance, religious ceremony, shakti path etc. It concludes with an answer to the question that why this sacred festival has become monumental and epochal.