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{{Short description|Mountain in Uttarakhand, India}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
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'''Nanda Kot''' ([[Kumaoni language| Kumaoni]]-नन्दा कोट) is a mountain peak of the [[Himalaya]] range located in the [[Pithoragarh district]] of [[Uttarakhand]] state in [[India]]. It lies in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] [[Himalaya]], just outside the ring of peaks enclosing the [[Nanda Devi]] Sanctuary, {{Convert|15|km|mi|0}} southeast of Nanda Devi itself. The name Nanda Kot literally means "Nanda's Fortress" and refers to the abode of one of the sacred forms of the Hindu Goddess [[Parvati]] who in legend has made her sanctuary amongst the ring of lofty mountains in the region.  
'''Nanda Kot''' ([[Kumaoni language| Kumaoni]]-नन्दा कोट) is a mountain peak of the [[Himalaya]] range located in the [[Pithoragarh district]] of [[Uttarakhand]] state in [[India]]. It lies in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] [[Himalaya]], just outside the ring of peaks enclosing the [[Nanda Devi]] Sanctuary, {{Convert|15|km|mi|0}} southeast of Nanda Devi itself. The name Nanda Kot literally means "Nanda's Fortress" and refers to the abode of one of the sacred forms of the Hindu Goddess [[Parvati]] who in legend has made her sanctuary amongst the ring of lofty mountains in the region.  


==Description==
Nanda Kot is connected to the Sanctuary wall by a high pass known as the Pindari Kanda, {{Convert|5269|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. This pass, Nanda Kot itself, and the ridge proceeding south from the peak together form the divide between the Pindar and Ghori Ganga River valleys, with Dana Dhura Pass connecting the two sides. The Kaphni (or Kafani), Pindar, Lawan, and Shalang Glaciers drain the south, west, north, and east sides of the peak respectively.<ref name="garhwal-himalaya-ost">''Garhwal-Himalaya-Ost'', 1:150,000 scale topographic map, prepared in 1992 by Ernst Huber for the [[Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research]], based on maps of the [[Survey of India]].</ref>  
Nanda Kot is connected to the Sanctuary wall by a high pass known as the Pindari Kanda, {{Convert|5269|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. This pass, Nanda Kot itself, and the ridge proceeding south from the peak together form the divide between the Pindar and Ghori Ganga River valleys, with Dana Dhura Pass connecting the two sides. The Kaphni (or Kafani), Pindar, Lawan, and Shalang Glaciers drain the south, west, north, and east sides of the peak respectively.<ref name="garhwal-himalaya-ost">''Garhwal-Himalaya-Ost'', 1:150,000 scale topographic map, prepared in 1992 by Ernst Huber for the [[Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research]], based on maps of the [[Survey of India]].</ref>  


The first attempt to climb Nanda Kot was made in 1905 by [[Tom George Longstaff|T.G. Longstaff]], who proceeded by way of the Lawan Valley and Lawan Glacier. The first successful ascent of the summit came in 1936 by a Japanese team led by {{ill|Yaichi Hotta|ja|堀田弥一}}. A new route involving a direct ascent of the south face was successfully undertaken by a British expedition led by Martin Moran in 1995. Mountaineering expeditions to Nanda Kot today typically follow the route through Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Khati Village to Dwali base camp.<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:Nandk.jpg|thumb|230px|Nanda Kot]] -->
The first attempt to climb Nanda Kot was made in 1905 by [[Tom George Longstaff|T.G. Longstaff]], who proceeded by way of the Lawan Valley, and Lawan Glacier. The first successful ascent of the summit came in 1936 by a Japanese team led by {{ill|Yaichi Hotta|ja|堀田弥一}}. A new route involving a direct ascent of the south face was successfully undertaken by a British expedition led by Martin Moran in 1995. Mountaineering expeditions to Nanda Kot today typically follow the route through Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Khati Village to Dwali base camp.<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:Nandk.jpg|thumb|230px|Nanda Kot]] -->


Outlying subpeaks of Nanda Kot include:
Outlying subpeaks of Nanda Kot include:
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==Nanda Devi/Nanda Kot nuclear controversy==
==Nanda Devi/Nanda Kot nuclear controversy==
 
{{main|Nanda Devi Plutonium Mission}}
In 1965, a covert mission was launched by an Indo-American team with the goal of installing a [[surveillance]] device on the top of [[Nanda Devi]] mountain to monitor [[China|Chinese]] [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]] and [[missile]] activity in [[Tibet]]. Shortly after delivery to the mountain, the thermonuclear generator designed to supply power to the sensor was lost during a storm and threatened to become a source of [[radioactive contamination]] to the area. Following upon at least three futile attempts between 1966-1968 to locate and recover the lost apparatus, it is said that in 1968 a similar device placed only the year before on Nanda Kot was dismantled. After more than a decade of secrecy, this story hit the Indian news media in 1978. There is still debate over these expeditions and whether any remnants of the radioactive materials remain in the vicinity of Nanda Kot to this day.
In 1965, a covert mission was launched by an Indo-American team to install a nuclear-powered [[surveillance]] device on the top of [[Nanda Devi]] mountain to monitor Chinese activity in Tibet. The device was lost in a storm; in 1967, a similar device was place just below the summit of Nanda Kot.<ref name=wired>{{Cite magazine|last=Beckhusen|first=Robert|title=Inside the CIA Mission to Haul Plutonium Up the Himalayas|language=en-US|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/04/cia-himalayan-spies/|access-date=2021-11-05|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
[[Survey of India]]
* [[Survey of India]]
* [[List of ultras of the Himalayas]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
{{Authority control}}
Nanda Kot Nuclear Controversy:[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030511/spectrum/book8.htm]
* [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr252004/fp2.asp]
* [http://www.bcasnet.org/articlesandresources/article12_2.htm]
* [http://www.dayafterindia.com/oct205/cover_story.html]
 
==Books==
* Harish Kapadia, ''Across Peaks and Passes in Kumaun Himalaya''.
* Peter Takeda, ''An Eye At The Top Of The World'', Thunder's Mouth Press,  2006, {{ISBN|978-1-56025-845-2}}


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Central Intelligence Agency]]
[[Category:Indian intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Mountains of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Mountains of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Geography of Pithoragarh district]]
[[Category:Geography of Pithoragarh district]]
[[Category:Six-thousanders of the Himalayas]]
[[Category:Six-thousanders of the Himalayas]]
[[Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Asia]]

Latest revision as of 15:49, 8 November 2025


Nanda Kot
Highest point
Elevation6,861 m (22,510 ft) [1]
Prominence1,592 m (5,223 ft) [1]
ListingUltra
Coordinates30°16′54″N 80°04′06″E / 30.28167°N 80.06833°E / 30.28167; 80.06833[1]
Geography
Nanda Kot is located in India
Nanda Kot
Nanda Kot
Location in India
LocationPithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
Parent rangeKumaun Himalaya
Climbing
First ascent1936 by Yaichi Hotta [ja]
Easiest routeLawan Valley

Nanda Kot ( Kumaoni-नन्दा कोट) is a mountain peak of the Himalaya range located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It lies in the Kumaon Himalaya, just outside the ring of peaks enclosing the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of Nanda Devi itself. The name Nanda Kot literally means "Nanda's Fortress" and refers to the abode of one of the sacred forms of the Hindu Goddess Parvati who in legend has made her sanctuary amongst the ring of lofty mountains in the region.

Description[edit | edit source]

Nanda Kot is connected to the Sanctuary wall by a high pass known as the Pindari Kanda, 5,269 m (17,287 ft). This pass, Nanda Kot itself, and the ridge proceeding south from the peak together form the divide between the Pindar and Ghori Ganga River valleys, with Dana Dhura Pass connecting the two sides. The Kaphni (or Kafani), Pindar, Lawan, and Shalang Glaciers drain the south, west, north, and east sides of the peak respectively.[2]

The first attempt to climb Nanda Kot was made in 1905 by T.G. Longstaff, who proceeded by way of the Lawan Valley, and Lawan Glacier. The first successful ascent of the summit came in 1936 by a Japanese team led by Yaichi Hotta [ja]. A new route involving a direct ascent of the south face was successfully undertaken by a British expedition led by Martin Moran in 1995. Mountaineering expeditions to Nanda Kot today typically follow the route through Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Khati Village to Dwali base camp.

Outlying subpeaks of Nanda Kot include:

  • Changuch, 6,322 m (20,741 ft)
  • Kuchela Dhura, 6,294 m (20,650 ft)
  • Nandabhaner (or Nandabhanar), 6,236 m (20,459 ft)
  • Dangthal, 6,050 m (19,849 ft)
  • Lespa Dhura (or Laspa Dhura), 5,913 m (19,400 ft)
  • Lamchir, 5,662 m (18,576 ft)

Nanda Devi/Nanda Kot nuclear controversy[edit | edit source]

In 1965, a covert mission was launched by an Indo-American team to install a nuclear-powered surveillance device on the top of Nanda Devi mountain to monitor Chinese activity in Tibet. The device was lost in a storm; in 1967, a similar device was place just below the summit of Nanda Kot.[3]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Karakoram, Pakistan Himalaya and India Himalaya (north of Nepal)". Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  2. Garhwal-Himalaya-Ost, 1:150,000 scale topographic map, prepared in 1992 by Ernst Huber for the Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, based on maps of the Survey of India.
  3. Beckhusen, Robert. "Inside the CIA Mission to Haul Plutonium Up the Himalayas". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 5 November 2021.