Photo Features

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The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is known for its religious value, cultural significance, physical beauty and thrilling nature. It is undertaken by hundreds of people every year. Holding significance for the Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, it holds religious importance also for the Jains and the Buddhists.

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    - The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is known for its religious value, cultural significance, physical beauty and thrilling nature. It is undertaken by hundreds of people every year. Holding significance for the Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, it holds religious importance also for the Jains and the Buddhists.
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    - The Ministry of External Affairs has been organizing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for eligible Indian citizens from June to September each year, in coordination with the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), a Government of Uttarakhand enterprise, which makes logistical arrangements on the Indian side; Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP); and the Government of Uttarakhand.
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    - The above chart shows the year –wise details of pilgrims of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs during last four years.
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    - In 2014, the Yatra was organized from 8 June to 9 September 2014 in 18 batches with maximum 60 yatris each. Out of 1080 available slots, 910 slots were utilized. In the photo Smt. Sushma Swaraj is seen at the send –off ceremony of the first batch of yatris in 2014.
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    - External Affairs Minister with first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - 2014 in New Delhi (June11,2014)
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    - The Government of India arranges, on self payment basis, facilities like transportation, accommodation, fresh food, medical tests, guides, Chinese Visa, foreign exchange, and porters etc. For the safety and well – being of Yatris the Ministry of External Affairs appoints one Liaison Officer for each batch.
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    - Currently, the Yatra commences from Delhi and crosses into Taklakot in Tibet through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. The Yatra involves trekking at high altitudes of upto about 18,500 feet, under inhospitable conditions, including extreme cold and rugged terrain, and may prove hazardous for those who are not physically and medically fit.
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    - An agreement has been signed between China and India during the visit of President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping to India. A new route would be opened through Nathu La to Kailash Mansarovar. This will be in addition to the existing route through Uttarakhand. The new route offers many benefits. It makes Kailash Mansarovar accessible by a motorable road, which is especially beneficial to the older pilgrims. It offers a safer alternative in the rainy season, makes the pilgrimage shorter in duration, and will enable a much higher number of pilgrims to go there.