The Creation of Nanda Devi

In the Kumaon region, ruling the Chamoli district, was the ever-respected Chanda Dynasty. They sat in the far north of India, straddling the border of Tibet. The Kumaon King sat upon his throne with a straight back and a strict hand, though it always dealt a loving proclamation when there was need for it. This King fathered a beautiful princess, whom his people called Nanda. Nanda was a child of her father's temperaments, which were vast and ranging emotions. The Chamoli princess could be caring and compassionate, a river from which plenty flowed. Her kindness, however, was not boundless. The King of Chamoli had instilled in his daughter the knowledge that some offenses were not to be met with a gentle frown, but with the raging fire of flickering eyes and arms raised in battle cries.

Her father had also taught Nanda of the deities that resided in the skies above them. She was devout in her prayers, especially those she sent to the God Shiva. Nanda would admit that her heart lay with the divine being, though she knew well-enough that she was mortal. Nanda thought, deep in her shame, that she was unworthy to be the God's bride although she did not desire any other. The princess chose a life of a devotee, without the relations of marriage. The Kumaon King, who loved his daughter to extremes, had no argument against his child's wishes for he respected that Nanda's heart and mind lay beyond the range of man.

Unfortunately, there was one who did not understand nor was willing to respect the princess's choice to remain single. An Afghan Prince boldly swung through the palace doors of the Chanda Dynasty. His feet swaggered, laden in silk slippers, as gold and silver dangled on his wrists.

"Friend, King of the Great Chamoli, unite our kingdoms in a bond unbreakable. Tell your daughter, the beautiful Princess Nanda, that I shall be her groom and she, my bride," the Prince demanded as he took his audience with the King. Despite the prince's unwavering voice, the King shook his head in denial.

"She has forsaken marriage, my young friend, though it is not for distaste of a handsome prince so great. Princess Nanda follows our Lord Shiva obediently. Her heart is noble, as I do hope your own is," the King replied, prepared to continue greeting his guest with praise and respect as one of the Prince's stature should expect. But the Rohilla Prince gave a snarl of contempt.

"If you will not force her hand to be joined with mine, I shall force it myself. Fear us greatly, for you are now our enemy. I bring with me a thousand-man army and we shall fight for the princess's right of marriage," the Prince declared.

Nanda was distraught when the news overtook her of the war. Her father, with a heavy heart swollen with love, bejeweled his daughter with gold to provides safe passage and sent her to the mountains - away from the kingdom - as the battle began. Their secrecy somehow managed to find its way to a whisper against the Prince's ear and he charged in the direction of the fleeing princess. Nanda's company urged her onwards, especially as news of her father's defeat arrived. So Nanda fled along the length of the great mountain that lay before her kingdom.

It was a cold escape, climbing the snowy ridges of the mountain on her own. The wind howled as she climbed higher, tearing away the scarfs and robes which bundled the princess, until she was bare-handed and her knees wept red against the white snow. Bedraggled, Nanda collapsed against the mountain.

"Gods, hear my cry. Let me join this mountain and save me from an unwanted man," Nanda cried. "I am fatherless and left without a home. Spare me the fate of a loveless marriage to a man of unkempt morals."

Himavat heard the sound of her sorrows and he wept for her. Daughterless, the prince of mountains knew little of fatherhood but he knew the feel of home. To think of losing his own brought tears leaking from his peak and he flooded the Ganges river with his sadness. The Himalayans were so moved by her display that he answered her desire for escape. Nanda merged with the mountain, becoming Nanda Devi: Goddess of Bliss in graciousness of her own answered cries.

Nanda Devi could not forgive the Rohilla Prince who destroyed her family and ruined her kingdom. Nor could she stand the sight of one like him, who stole a child from their family's loving embrace. Family was important to Nanda Devi, and she adored Sunanda, her sister who resided on her lower Eastern summit. Nanda Devi also cared for the mountain peak Dunagiri, who had been brought to her as a dying woman and transformed into the invisible mountain which held the magical sanjeevi plant.

After the wickedness of Ravana's son sent Lakshama spiraling towards an ill fate, Hanuman incurred the rage of Nanda Devi. The monkey angered Nanda Devi by stealing away Dunagiri, in a way which reminded Nanda Devi of her own past. Upset, she tossed down mighty rocks that trembled as they flew towards the Wind God's son. He was not struck by any of the falling boulders, and continued to fulfill the Ramayana as it has been told.

Today, however, there are no shrines dedicated to Hanuman in the mountains of Nanda Devi, for fear of enraging the Goddess of Bliss.