The legend of the Nanda Devi Raj Jot is an important event from the sprituo-cultural point of view as the shrines ofNonda Devi are scattered all over the Central Himalayas. The deui is considered as the Isht- Devi, by the hill folk. The royal family ofGarhwal conducts the Nanda Raj Jot to please the Isht- Devi, in order to seek blessings for a prosperous kingdom and the defecit of their enemies. Her relationship with the people is just the same as that of Sita with Mithila, similarly Gaura is known to be the daughter of Uttarakhand. Daughter of the king of mountains, Himavat. Gaura was married to the ash- smeared, leapord skin wearing yogi. It is popularly believed that according to the Indian calendar, during the Krishna Paksha of Bhado (2nd week of August) the Deui visits her mother's place and the event is celebrated with the performance of special rituals and prayers on Nanda Ashtami in the numerous Nanda devi temples spread all over the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
