It is part of the Garhwal Himalaya, and is located in the state of
Uttarakhand.

Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India and the highest entirely within the country.

Nanda Devi is notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain.

It rises over 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) above its immediate south western base on the Dakkhni Nanda Devi Glacier in about 4.2 kilometres (2.6mi), and its rise above the glaciers to the north is similar. This makes it among the steepest peaks in the world at this scale, closely comparable, for example, to the local profile of K2.

The peak is regarded as the patron-goddess of the Uttarakhand Himalaya.