Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that the 2026 edition of the Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra will be celebrated as a folk festival. Chairing a review meeting at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed officials to initiate widespread preparations, promote the event extensively, and incorporate vibrant cultural presentations. The yatra will span approximately 280 kilometers over 20 days.
Calling the pilgrimage a symbol of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, CM Dhami emphasized the importance of showcasing local traditions, attire, and folk musical instruments during the event. He also directed officials to collaborate with Garhwal and Kumaon universities for documentation and preservation of records related to the yatra.
The Chief Minister outlined key instructions, including increasing local participation, integrating stakeholder suggestions into the action plan, preparing SOPs for crowd and disaster management, banning single-use plastic, identifying alternative routes, and ensuring proper arrangements for parking, toilets, eco-tents, electricity, and beautification.
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj informed that the yatra will commence on Nand Ashtami in the month of Bhadrapada, starting from Kasuwa in Nauti and culminating at Homkund. The pilgrimage is considered a symbolic journey of Goddess Nanda from her maternal home to her in-laws’ place.
