The Nanda Devi Affair

Spanning more than a decade from the 1970s to the 1980s, Aitken describes his attempts to explore the sanctuary of Nanda Devi. Rather than presenting a conventional mountaineering account, he combines personal experiences with observations about the Goddess Nanda Devi, Kumaoni folklore, customs, pilgrims, climbers and the Himalayan environment.

Bill Aitken was a Scottish-born Indian travel writer and passionate lover of mountains. He wrote extensively about India's landscapes, rivers, mountains and railways. His other well-known works include Seven Sacred Rivers and Riding the Ranges.

The book follows Bill Aitken's fascination with Nanda Devi, the patron goddess of Kumaon and Garhwal. Through journeys across the Himalayan region, he explores mountain trails, villages, temples, sacred sites and local traditions. He also examines the relationship between spirituality and the mountains while expressing strong concern about environmental damage caused by political interests and commercialized mountaineering.