Latu Devta Temple, Wan: Visit from Lohajung

The short answer

Latu Devta Temple, Wan: what visitors should know first

Worth the short drive from Lohajung for anyone interested in the Nanda Devi traditions of this valley. Visit between May and early December, when the doors are open, and be ready to see the shrine only from outside.

History and context

The story behind Latu Devta Temple, Wan

Latu Devta is regarded locally as the dharma brother of the goddess Nanda Devi and her guide on the Raj Jat. His temple at Wan opens once a year, on Baisakh Purnima, and stays open for about six months.

Useful facts

Latu Devta Temple, Wan facts at a glance

Location: Wan village, Dewal, Chamoli district
Faith: Hindu, local deity
Dedication: Latu Devta, brother of Nanda Devi in local belief
Opening: Doors open on Baisakh Purnima (May) for about six months
Visitor note: Worship from a distance; priests worship blindfolded

Why it matters

Why Latu Devta Temple, Wan is worth your time

Latu Devta is central to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat. In local belief he is the goddess's dharma brother, who died at Wan after drinking from the wrong pot, and who now leads her procession towards Homkund. When the Raj Jat or the smaller annual jat passes, Wan becomes one of its main gathering points.

For visitors who are not trekking, the temple is the clearest window into the living religion of the Pindar valley. The blindfolded worship and the once-a-year opening are unusual even in Uttarakhand, and a respectful visit gives context to the shrines you see later at Bedni Kund.

Highlights

What not to miss

01
Opening day
On Baisakh Purnima the doors open with a village festival.
02
Blindfolded worship
The priest covers his eyes, nose and mouth when performing the puja.
03
Wan village
A quiet village on the Raj Jat route and the start of the steep trail to Bedni.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Hire a jeep from Lohajung for the road to Wan, which takes about 45 minutes. The temple stands in the village behind a painted entrance gate. Even when the temple is open, visitors stay back and worship from outside: local belief holds that Nagraj lives in the sanctum with a sacred jewel whose glare is harmful, so even the priest covers his eyes, nose and mouth.

The doors open on Baisakh Purnima, usually in May, with a festival attended by people from the surrounding villages, and close for the winter around early December. Outside those dates you can still see the setting and the gate.

Wan is also the base for the steep route up to Bedni Bugyal, so you may see trekking groups and mules setting off. Combine the visit with a slow walk through the village and tea at a homestay before returning to Lohajung.

Plan with confidence

Visit as a guest, not a spectator.

Hire a jeep from Lohajung; the road is narrow
Check that the doors are open (roughly May to early December)
Dress modestly and ask before photographing
Carry warm clothing; Wan is cool even in summer

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area: Wan village, about 15 km by road from Lohajung, Dewal block, Chamoli district
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours, plus about 45 minutes by jeep each way from Lohajung
Best time: May to November; the opening day on Baisakh Purnima draws large crowds
Walking level: Easy
Senior comfort: Wan is reached by a narrow mountain road, and the temple is a short walk from where vehicles stop. The ground is uneven in places but there is no long climb, so this is the most practical sacred site near Lohajung for older visitors.
Tickets and access: No entry ticket. The inner sanctum is not opened to view; devotees worship from a distance and priests cover their eyes, nose and mouth. Dress modestly and ask before taking photographs.

Best for

PilgrimsCulture seekersOlder visitors who are not trekkingFamilies waiting for trekkers

Plan it with

Lohajung Village and PassThe small roadhead village at about 2,300 m where the Roopkund and Brahmatal treks begin, with homestays, a short bazaar and a clear view of Nanda Ghunti at sunrise.Places to visit · Half a day to walk around; most people stay one or two nights Ali and Bedni BugyalTwo of the largest high meadows in the Garhwal Himalaya, at about 3,350 m above Wan and Didna, with Bedni Kund, small shrines and close views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. The meadows are the heart of the Roopkund route.Places to visit · 2 to 3 days as a round trip from Wan or Lohajung Roopkund TrekA high-altitude trek from Lohajung through Ali and Bedni Bugyal to Roopkund, the 5,020 m 'skeleton lake' below Trishul. Camping rules on the meadows have changed recently, so check the current position with the Badrinath Forest Division before booking.Places to visit · About 7 to 8 days from Lohajung, plus a long drive each way

Plan the practical part

Hotels near Latu Devta Temple, Wan

Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.

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Travelling with parents?

Wan is reached by a narrow mountain road, and the temple is a short walk from where vehicles stop. The ground is uneven in places but there is no long climb, so this is the most practical sacred site near Lohajung for older visitors.

Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.

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Map

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FAQs

When is the Latu Devta temple open?

Its doors open on Baisakh Purnima, usually in May, and close for winter around early December. Confirm the year's dates locally.

Can visitors see the deity?

No. Devotees worship from a distance, and the priest performs the puja blindfolded.

How do you reach Wan?

By jeep from Lohajung, about 15 km and roughly 45 minutes on a mountain road.

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.