Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Resumes After Six Years via Sikkim

Gangtok, Jun 16 (PTI) The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has resumed after a hiatus of six years, with the first group of 36 pilgrims arriving in Sikkim's capital, Gangtok. Upon arrival, the pilgrims moved to the 17 Mile area on Monday for acclimatisation, according to officials.

The 17 Mile area is located approximately 27 kilometres from Gangtok.

The pilgrims are set to follow a route through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim and Shigatse city in Tibet, ultimately reaching Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Officials have confirmed that the pilgrims will cross the India-China border on June 20.

The group, which also includes two officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, reached Gangtok on Sunday evening.

Addtional Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, C S Rao, stated that the pilgrims initially landed at Bagdogra airport in West Bengal's Siliguri and made their way to Gangtok via road.

They were warmly received by personnel from the Tourism Development Corporation at a bungalow in Rhenock.

This year, a total of 750 Indian pilgrims have been chosen for the yatra. Of these, 500 will travel in 10 groups using the Nathu La route, while the remaining 250 will take the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

On Sunday night, the pilgrims stayed in Gangtok before setting out on the yatra on Monday. Following their stay at the 17 Mile location on June 16 for acclimatisation, they will proceed to Serathang before crossing the India-China border on June 20, officials noted.

The Nathu La-Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is conducted as a government-to-government (G-to-G) initiative, with the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) overseeing the entire journey.

The STDC will manage the complete journey of the pilgrims from Gangtok to Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and back.

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