140 Abode of Gotis
entertained the royal entourage all along the journey. This in-
furiated Nanda and in her anger she turned all dancers into stones
at a place called Tatar Nachonia' or the place of dancing girls.
Unmindful of the impending doom the foolish king cantinued on
his path and soon encountered the problem of labour pains of
his pregnant wife. The king left his wife at Balpa-Syaldeh where
she ultimately succumbed to the pains. Undeterred, the doomed
king proceeded further, unmindful of the disaster which lay in
store for him. Angered by the audacity of the king, Nanda struck
the party with thunder and storms which brought a fierce ava-
lanche which carried away the entire party and buried them
under rnud, silt and snow.
What was in store for the Raja
Everybody knew, except the doomed
Who unwary of the impending disaster
Continued to proceed
Unmindful of the evil signs and warning.
XXX
Hail, storm and avalanche struck
Just above the Jiurangali,
The party was attacked by
The nature's worst agents
Resulting in the death of entire party,
XXX
Drowned and buried
In the placid waters of the Rupkund
Lie the dead bodies of Raja JasdhawaPs party
Reminding every pilgrim, to
Bow low to Nanda in silence
That is, how it is the mystery of
The skeletons and the Yatra of Rupkund.
Nanda Devi Jat
According to the Nautiyals of Nauti Village and Kunwars of
Kansua, the Nanda Jat was started by Garhwal Kings to propi-
iiate Nanda and pray for the peace of departed souls. This Yatra
takes place every twelfth year. Before the onset of yatra a Chau-
Singha (four-horned goat) had taken birth which is feasted and
fetted to lead the caravan all through the following route—