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Barefoot Devotees Brave Peaks for Sacred Lotus
15 Sep
Summary
- Pilgrims collect rare Brahma Kamal flowers from 15,000ft.
- Devotees walk barefoot and eat one meal daily.
- Tradition links faith, nature, and Himalayan folk culture.
A group of eighteen devotees and priests from Leeti village has commenced a triennial pilgrimage to Nandkund, near the Sundardhunga Glacier. Their arduous journey, undertaken at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet, is to collect the rare Brahma Kamal, also known as the Himalayan Snow Lotus, for Goddess Bhagwati.
Known locally as Jaters, these pilgrims walk barefoot, maintain a strict diet of one satvik meal per day, and bathe twice daily throughout their journey. The pilgrimage began with special prayers and the worship of a traditional sword at the Bhagwati temple in Leeti. The group carries the deity's traditional flag and other ritualistic items.
Historians note this practice as distinct to the Danpur valley, where Brahma Kamal is collected for Nanda Devi worship, unlike other regions that use banana stems. This centuries-old tradition exemplifies the profound links between faith, nature, and the rich tapestry of Himalayan folk culture.
The pilgrims are expected to return with the sacred flowers on September 18. Upon their arrival at Latu halt, they will be received with traditional music and drums before proceeding to the Bhagwati temple for a symbolic representation of Goddess Bhagwati and further blessings.
