A significant announcement was made by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami about the “Lord Curzon Trail”.

On Friday, December 26th, while attending the closing ceremony of “24th Bund Vikas Industrial, Tourism, Farmers and Cultural Fair” in Semladala, Pipalkoti, the Chief Minister stated that from now on, the “Lord Curzon Trail” will be known as the “Nanda Sunanda Marg”.

He further stated that “This initiative aims to strengthen tourism infrastructure while preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region”.

The Lord Curzon Trail was named after Lord Curzon, who was the British Viceroy of India, and who trekked from the Ghat to Joshimath and was the first person to discover this route in 1905.

But from now onwards, the name has been changed to ‘Nanda Sunanda’ as it’s the only trail from where the Nanda Devi peak is notably visible, which is named after the Patron goddess of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas, associated with the goddess Nanda Devi (an aspect of Parvati/Durga).

But from now onwards, the name has been changed to ‘Nanda Sunanda’ as it’s the only trail from where the Nanda Devi peak is notably visible, which is named after the Patron goddess of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas, associated with the goddess Nanda Devi (an aspect of Parvati/Durga).

Significance of the name “Nanda - Sunanda”

Speaking of the significance behind the name Nanda- Sunanda. It is named after Goddess Nanda, who is the revered presiding deity of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas.

According to some local folklore, the Nanda Devi represents the main goddess, while the Sunanda Devi is said to be her younger sister or companion, who stands beside her protecting her.

The two peaks are standing near each other in all their majesty, as they symbolize the divine strength, grace, and guardianship towards the valleys.

For generation the families residing in the Himalayas have been worshipping these peaks as sacred embodiments of the goddess watching over the land and its people.

Key Features of the Trail

• The Lord Curzon trail begins near Joshimath or the villages, such as Tugasi.
• This ‘Marg’ actually connects the Gwaldom(which is near the Kumaon Border in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand) to Tapovan, which is near Joshimath.
• This ‘Marg’ passes through some old villages like Ramni, Jhinjhi, and Pana village
• Apart from that, it also connects some bugyals like Tali and Gorson.
• This ‘Marg’ comes to an end in the bustling town of Joshimath.