32

A JOURNEY INTO THE INVINCIBLE
NANDA DEVI SANCTUARY

Nanda Pevi, hidden amidst ipy^ ranges of Kumaon Himalayas*
has lorigj been worshipped as one. of the holiest mountains in
India. It is a'twin peaked mountain, (7823 mtrs.). It is
inaccessible both by reason of its towering height and steep ridges.
It is defended by a ring of impassable mountains, with a
circumference of 112 kms. and least depression not less than
5486 rntrs. fMr. feuge Rutledge bestowed the name "sanctuary*7,
to thi^ *' (inclosed tlndulatfog''. high tableland. In .shape, the
sanctuary is like & gigantic horse shoe, with an opening narrowed"
into a neck towards the west thrbiigh which Rishi Ganga flows.
For the fifty years, the prbbiem of reaching the sanctuary-
engaged the attention of experienced mountaineers but the
Goddess Nanda Devi retained Her secret . It was^ only in, 1934
that Shipton and Tillman at last succeeded in entering through the
Rishi Gorge. The same year, in,the month of September^ tliey
made a,second ascent and spent three weeks- exploring the
sanctuary. Shipton had expected the sanctuary to be full of dull
looking grey moraines but was surprised to fki4 It a place of
greatbeauty with extensive areas of rich pasturage gay with
flowers.
The sanctuary was again visited in July 1936 by an Anglo-