The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, also known as the Himalayan Kumbh, came to an end today with scores of pilgrims retreating to Nauti village from where the pilgrimage started 20 days ago on August 18.
The pilgrims left Ghat on the banks of the Nandakini early today for Nauti in the form of a procession which was ushered in with great enthusiasm by locals at Nandprayag and Langasu.
The pilgrims from the villages of Garhwal and Kumaon regions of the state took a ritual bath at the confluence of Pindar and Alaknanda rivers at Karnaprayag before they were given a farewell by the main group of pilgrims from Nauti.
The group also distributed 'Sufal' as a token of blessings from Goddess Nanda Devi among people at Idabadhani between Karnaprayag and Nauti.
On their arrival at Nauti, the main group of pilgrims was received with great enthusiasm by locals.
Thousands of people participated in this year's Raj Jat yatra which is undertaken every twelve years through the picturesque hill district of Chamoli covering a distance of 280 km in 20 days.
The yatra symbolises Goddess Nanda Devi's journey from her parental home at Nauti to her in-laws' place in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
