If you’ve been trying to understand the difference between Nanda Devi Raj Jat, Badi Jaat, and Lok Jaat, you’re not alone and you’re not being careless. The confusion is genuine. In 2026, multiple news headlines called the upcoming September yatra a “Raj Jaat” or “Badi Jaat” while others said Lok Jaat. This guide clarifies all three what each one actually is, how they differ in route, frequency, and ritual significance, what the 2026 yatra is specifically (the annual Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat from Kurur/Devarada), and what tourists and pilgrims can expect if they join.
The Three Yatras — What Each One Actually Means
These aren’t three names for the same event. They’re three distinct types of pilgrimage associated with Goddess Nanda Devi, each with a different scale, frequency, and route.
Lok Jaat (लोकजात) — The Annual Local Pilgrimage
Lok Jaat is the annual community pilgrimage in which the Doli (doli the goddess’s palanquin) moves through local villages in the Chamoli and Garhwal region. It’s organised at the village and community level, typically starting from a local shrine, passing through nearby settlements, and returning. The routes vary but are generally shorter covering key village clusters and reaching Bedni Bugyal in some years.
This is the most frequent form of the yatra. It happens every year. It is the heartbeat of local Nanda Devi devotion between the larger cycles.
Badi Jaat (बड़ी जात) — The “Big Journey” Version of Lok Jaat
Badi Jaat literally means “big journey.” It’s an expanded version of the Lok Jaat a year when the local pilgrimage extends further than the standard annual route, covering more villages and higher terrain. In some years, the Lok Jaat of that cycle is prominent enough to be called Badi Jaat by local communities and organisers.
The 2026 yatra is being referred to as both Lok Jaat and Badi Jaat in different sources. This is accurate it is the annual Lok Jaat, and in its 2026 form it follows a longer route from Devarada Siddhapeeth (देवराडा सिद्धपीठ / Kurur, कुरुड़) through key villages and up to Bedni Bugyal (बेदनी बुग्याल).
It is not the 12-year Raj Jaat. This matters.
Raj Jaat (राज जात) — The 12-Year Royal Yatra
Raj Jaat is the grand, 12-yearly pilgrimage widely called the Himalayan Mahakumbh. It follows the long royal circuit from Nauti (नौटी) to Homkund (होमकुंड), covering approximately 280–290 km over 19–22 days through over 100 villages.
The “Raj” in Raj Jaat has a historical basis. Local records credit King Ajay Pal (15th century) of the Garhwal kingdom with unifying the various regional “jats” into a single organised royal procession. This gave the 12-year yatra its royal “Raj” character that has continued since.
The defining feature of the Raj Jaat is the four-horned ram the Chaar Singha (चार सिंगा खाडू). When a rare four-horned ram appears naturally in the villages of the Chamoli region, it is treated as a sign from Goddess Nanda that the Raj Jaat cycle is near. The ram leads the entire procession and, at Homkund, disappears into the mountains. Pilgrims return without it.
The most recent full Raj Jaat was held in 2014. The next is expected around 2026–2027, but as of 2026, no official announcement of the full Raj Jaat from Nauti to Homkund with the Chaar Singha has been confirmed by the Chamoli district administration. The 2026 confirmed yatra is the Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat, not the full 12-year Raj Jaat.
Comparison Table — Raj Jaat vs Badi Jaat vs Lok Jaat
| Feature | Lok Jaat (लोकजात) | Badi Jaat (बड़ी जात) | Raj Jaat (राज जात) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Annual | Periodic (a prominent Lok Jaat year) | Once every 12 years |
| Route length | Short — local village circuit | Medium — extended to Bedni and nearby high-altitude areas | 280–290 km, Nauti to Homkund |
| Start point | Local village shrines (varies) | Devarada / Kurur (Chamoli) typically | Nauti (Chamoli) |
| End point | Local circuit | Bedni Bugyal area | Homkund (~4,800m) |
| Duration | Few days | 15–20 days | 19–22 days |
| Chaar Singha Ram | Not present | Not present | The defining element |
| Organised by | Village communities | Nanda Devi Jaat Samiti + local communities | Raj Jaat Samiti + Chamoli district administration |
| 2026 status | Confirmed | Confirmed — the 2026 yatra is this | Not confirmed for 2026 |
2026 at a Glance — What's Actually Happening
Event: Nanda Devi Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat 2026
Start date: 5 September 2026
Start location: Devarada Siddhapeeth (देवराडा सिद्धपीठ), Kurur (कुरुड़), Chamoli district
Expected end date: Approximately 25 September 2026
Route: Devarada/Kurur → Ichholi → Faldiyagaon → Mundoli → Wan → Gairolipatal → Bedni Bugyal → Bank → Lwani → Ulangra → Beradhar → Gothinda → Kurad → Dhungakholi → Bhenta → return to Devarada
The Doli (doli — goddess’s palanquin) moves through each of these villages in order, with community gatherings, rituals, and small fairs at the major halts. Bedni Bugyal (बेदनी बुग्याल, 3,354m) is the high-altitude centrepiece — a multi-day gathering takes place here before the Doli begins its return.
This is not a trek in the organised adventure sense. It’s a moving pilgrimage that you join as it passes through villages. Most people join at Wan or Bedni Bugyal — the sections that combine accessibility with the most significant ritual activity.
The Classic Raj Jaat Route — Nauti to Homkund
This section is for those planning for the next full 12-year Raj Jaat (expected 2026–2027 when officially confirmed) or who want to understand the full scale of the royal procession.
The Raj Jaat begins at Nauti (नौटी), a village in Chamoli, and ends at Homkund (होमकुंड, approximately 4,800m). The full route covers 280–290 km over 19–22 days, passing through more than 100 villages in a circuit through the Garhwal Himalayas.
Key stages on the Raj Jaat route:
Nauti → Ida Badhani → Kansuwa → Koti → Bhagoti → Kulsari → Nandkesari → Faldiya → Mundoli → Wan (meeting of village deities — major halt) → Gehroli Patal → Bedni Bugyal (major fair) → Patar Nachauni → Roopkund (Skeleton Lake, 4,785m) → Shila Samudra → Junargali (5,334m) → Homkund. Return via Sutol → Nauti.
Wan village deserves its own note. This is described by locals as the point of no return before the high-altitude zone hundreds of village deities from the surrounding region converge here, carried on their dolls, to join the main procession before it climbs above 3,000m. Witnessing the Wan assembly is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Garhwal pilgrimage culture and worth the journey for that alone.
The Chaar Singha Khadu (चार सिंगा खाडू) walks the entire route without a leash or guide. At Homkund, it disappears into the mountains. The pilgrims return without it. No other pilgrimage in the Himalayas has a ritual like this.
Can Tourists and Non-Local Pilgrims Join the 2026 Yatra?
Yes — both the Lok Jaat and the full Raj Jaat are open to anyone who approaches with genuine respect for the spiritual character of the event.
For the 2026 Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat: The most practical entry points are Wan and Bedni Bugyal. These are accessible enough for people with moderate fitness (Wan requires a 3–4 hour walk from Lohajung/Dewal side; Bedni adds another 2–3 hours from Wan). You don’t need to walk the entire circuit from Devarada.
Customs to observe:
- The Doli and village deity palanquins are sacred objects do not touch, do not block their path, and ask before photographing
- Follow the flow of the procession don’t cut in front during ritual sections
- Remove footwear at temple halts along the route
- Quiet is the default no loud music, no amplified sound near the procession
- If you’re attending the Wan deity assembly, this is specifically a moment for witnessing, not documentation
For the upper sections above Bedni (Roopkund, Junargali) in a Raj Jaat year trekking permit rules apply separately through the SRFMTC system with a 40-trekker/day cap. Pilgrimage groups operate under district administration arrangements. Clarify your status before heading up.
Getting to the 2026 Yatra from Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the most common starting point for anyone reaching Chamoli from outside Uttarakhand. The route to the yatra area: Rishikesh → Devprayag → Karanprayag → Tharali → Dewal → Lohajung (for the Wan/Bedni approach), approximately 8–9 hours by road.
The Dewal–Lohajung stretch can develop early morning ice in September, especially after rain. Start the drive before 6am if you’re covering the full distance in one day.
Note: We've put this together from the best sources we could find, but things on the ground dates, routes, permit rules can change quickly in Uttarakhand. Please confirm current details locally before making plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Lok Jaat, Badi Jaat, and Raj Jaat?
Lok Jaat (लोकजात) is the annual local pilgrimage in which Goddess Nanda Devi’s Doli moves through villages in the Chamoli region. Badi Jaat (बड़ी जात) is a “big year” version of the Lok Jaat when the route extends further and the event is larger in scale. Raj Jaat (राज जात) is the grand 12-year royal pilgrimage from Nauti to Homkund, led by a four-horned ram, covering 280–290 km over 19–22 days. All three involve Goddess Nanda Devi, but they differ fundamentally in frequency, route length, and ritual significance.
Is the 2026 Nanda Devi yatra a Raj Jaat?
No. The 2026 yatra is the annual Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat, starting 5 September 2026 from Devarada Siddhpeeth (Kurur, Chamoli). The full 12-year Raj Jaat with the Chaar Singha Ram and the complete Nauti-to-Homkund circuit has not been officially confirmed for 2026 by Chamoli district administration. Several news headlines in 2026 used “Raj Jaat” or “Badi Jaat” interchangeably, which created confusion. The confirmed event is the annual Lok Jaat in Badi Jaat form.
What are the 2026 Nanda Devi yatra dates and route?
The 2026 Lok Jaat / Badi Jaat starts 5 September 2026 from Devarada Siddhpeeth (Kurur, Chamoli) and runs until approximately 25 September 2026. The route passes through: Ichholi, Faldiyagaon, Mundoli, Wan, Gairolipatal, Bedni Bugyal, Bank, Lwani, Ulangra, Beradhar, Gothinda, Kurad, Dhungakholi, Bhenta, and returns to Devarada.
What is the significance of the four-horned ram (Chaar Singha Ram) in the Raj Jaat?
The Chaar Singha (चार सिंगा खाडू) a naturally occurring four-horned ram is the defining sacred symbol of the 12-year Raj Jaat. It is not selected; it appears in the villages of Chamoli when a four-horned ram is found naturally, and this is taken as Goddess Nanda’s signal that the Raj Jaat cycle is due. The ram leads the entire 280 km procession without a leash or guide. At Homkund, the final destination, the ram disappears into the mountains and is not brought back. No equivalent ritual exists in the Lok Jaat or Badi Jaat.
Why is it called Raj Jaat — what does "Raj" mean?
“Raj” refers to the royal character of the yatra. Local historical accounts credit King Ajay Pal (15th century) of the Garhwal kingdom with consolidating the various regional jats (religious journeys) into a single organised royal procession. The “Raj” designation has continued since, reflecting both its royal origins and its scale as the largest pilgrimage event in the Garhwal Himalaya.
How often does the Raj Jaat happen and when is the next one?
The Raj Jaat happens approximately once every 12 years, timed by the lunar calendar and confirmed when a four-horned ram appears in the Chamoli villages. The last full Raj Jaat was held in 2014. The next is expected in the 2026–2027 cycle, but as of 2026 no official announcement from Chamoli district administration had confirmed the date or the appearance of the Chaar Singha Ram.
Where is the best place to join the 2026 yatra as a visitor from outside Uttarakhand?
Wan village and Bedni Bugyal are the most practical and culturally significant entry points. Wan is where hundreds of village deities converge before the high-altitude section the assembly is extraordinary to witness. Bedni Bugyal at 3,354m hosts the major fair and is the highest point most visitors reach. Both are accessible from Lohajung/Dewal with moderate fitness. You don’t need to walk from Devarada; joining at Wan or Bedni is entirely appropriate.
Can solo women travellers join the yatra?
Yes. The Nanda Devi yatra is a community pilgrimage with a strong female devotional tradition Nanda Devi is worshipped across Garhwal and Kumaon as a daughter of the mountains, and women are central participants. Solo women should follow the same practical precautions as any mountain travel in Uttarakhand: inform accommodation of your itinerary, join a group for the higher-altitude sections rather than walking alone, and carry standard mountain safety essentials.
What should I wear and carry to the yatra?
Modest, comfortable clothing is essential covered shoulders and knees, especially near the Doli and temple halts. Above 2,500m in September, evening temperatures drop significantly carry warm layers even if days feel mild. Waterproof jacket (September can bring rain), sturdy walking shoes with grip, and enough cash for the journey (no ATMs beyond Karanprayag or Tharali). Carry all waste out with you this is a sacred natural environment.