Editing Nanda Devi (section)

==Description and notable features==
Nanda Devi is a [[two-peaked]] [[massif]], forming a {{Convert|2|km|mi|1|adj=mid|-long}} high ridge, oriented east–west. The western summit is higher than the eastern summit, which is called [[Nanda Devi East]], (locally known as ''Sunanda Devi''). The main summit stands guarded by a barrier ring comprising some of the highest mountains in the Indian Himalayas, twelve of which exceed {{convert|6400|m}} in height, further elevating its sacred status as the daughter of the Himalaya in Indian folklore. The interior of this almost insurmountable ring is known as the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and is protected as the [[Nanda Devi National Park]]. Nanda Devi East lies on the eastern edge of the ring (and of the park), at the border of [[Chamoli]], [[Pithoragarh]] and [[Bageshwar]] districts in India's [[Uttarakhand]] state.

In addition to being the [[List of highest mountains|23rd highest mountain in the world]], Nanda Devi is also notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain. It rises over {{Convert|3300|m|ft|-2}} above its immediate southwestern base on the [[Dakkhini Nanda Devi Glacier|Dakshini Nanda Devi Glacier]] in about {{Convert|4.2|km|mi|1}}, 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]], in Pakistan. Nanda Devi is also impressive when considering terrain that is a bit further away, as it is surrounded by relatively deep valleys. For example, it rises over {{Convert|6500|m|ft|-2}} above the valley of the Goriganga in only {{Convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref name="kumaoun-himalaya-ost">''Kumaoun''
-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>

On the northern side of the massif lies the [[Uttari Nanda Devi Glacier]], flowing into the Uttari Rishi Glacier. To the southwest, one finds the Dakkhini Nanda Devi Glacier, flowing into the Dakkhini Rishi Glacier. All of these glaciers are located within the Sanctuary, and drain west into the Rishiganga. To the east lies the Pachu Glacier, and to the southeast lie the Nandaghunti and Lawan Glaciers, feeding the Lawan Gad; all of these drain into the Milam Valley. To the south is the Pindari Glacier, draining into the Pindar River. Just to the south of Sunanda Devi, dividing the Lawan Gad drainage from the Dakkhini Nanda Devi Glacier, is Longstaff [[Mountain pass|Col]], {{Convert|5910|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, one of the high passes that guard access to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary.<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> For a list of notable peaks of the Sanctuary and its environs, see [[Nanda Devi National Park]].