After 5 Years, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes Through Sikkim
New Delhi:
The first batch of 36 pilgrims taking part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra crossed over to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China through Nathula border in Sikkim this morning. The first batch of pilgrims between the ages of 21 and 70 years is being escorted by two Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel as liaison officers towards the Chinese side.
The pilgrimage was flagged off by Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Nathula. He was joined by Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa along with other ministers and legislators.
The pilgrims will be spending 11 days in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to reach Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. They were received by the People's Republic of China's officials and army personnel at the border with China.
After a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula Pass in Sikkim has resumed with a batch of 36 pilgrims - 23 male and 13 female - heading to the 18 Mile base on Monday, ahead of their scheduled journey to Mansarovar on June 20.
The pilgrims stayed at the newly constructed acclimatisation centre at 18 Mile for two days, followed by another two-day stay at Sherathang. On Friday, after their medical status and documents were checked, they crossed over to the Chinese side.
"This is a proud moment for Sikkim and the country. Hosting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through our state is not just an honour but also an opportunity to showcase our hospitality and infrastructure. We've already begun receiving positive feedback from the pilgrims," said the CEO of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Rajendra Chettri.
"This is (also) a proud moment for the STDC because the trust the Ministry of External Affairs has placed in the STDC is just enormous. I think our experience and past record speak for themselves. We have been speaking to the yatris for feedback and taking care of them. Overall, it has been a very satisfying experience for us as well," Mr Chettri added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Watch: Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: Pilgrims share their journey
The Hindu's Suhasini Haidar was part of a journalistic delegation that traveled from Chengdu to Lhasa and then onward to the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. In Tibet's Burang County, or the Pulan area, next to Mount Kailash and the sacred Manasarovar Lake, the delegation covered the restoration of an important bilateral people-to-people mechanism between India and China. This year marked the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra after a suspension since 2020. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked closely to restart the pilgrimage. About 5,000 people applied, and around 750 were selected through a lottery system. After medical tests, approximately 650 to 700 pilgrims were cleared to make the crossing. Pilgrims began their sacred circumambulation, known as the Parikrama or Kora, around Mount Kailash, completing the 52-kilometre trek over two to three days. The route has been a sacred space for centuries, drawing people of many faiths. In this video, several participants share their experiences and reflections on undertaking this spiritual journey after years of waiting. Script & Presentation: Suhasini Haidar Production: Shibu Narayan
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
TTD focuses on phasing out junk food from local eateries
TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched a transformative initiative to restore traditional food culture, eliminate junk cuisine, and elevate hygiene standards. Spearheaded by Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdhary, the campaign aims to reinforce Tirumala's spiritual ambience through every aspect of the dining experience. TTD's primary focus has been to phase out Chinese and junk food from local eateries, encouraging a return to wholesome, culturally rooted meals. With continuous counselling and logistical support, over 90% of hoteliers and eatery owners have now secured licenses from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) along with necessary certifications from the TTD's Panchayat, Revenue, and Health departments. Choudary said the remaining few are working to resolve minor issues, while most establishments have responded enthusiastically. Some have even replaced existing kitchen staff with cooks trained in traditional recipes. The initiative has extended beyond small eateries to include full-fledged restaurants, with proprietors attending regular meetings and gradually revamping their menus to exclude non-traditional fare. Chinese food has largely disappeared, particularly in the PAC-1 area, with similar changes seen in Varahaswamy Guest House Lane, where eateries have begun offering purely traditional dishes. Inspired by the movement, hoteliers are also renovating their interiors to reflect spiritual themes, aligning their businesses with the pilgrim town's sacred identity. TTD has promoted the use of traditional décor, clean kitchens, and staff dressed in ethnic attire. Choudary said, 'We are not just changing food but nurturing a deeper spiritual connection for every pilgrim.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
10 hours ago
- First Post
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes after 5-year gap: Why this pilgrimage matters to Indians
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will commence through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh on Monday. As many as 250 pilgrims will take this route to reach Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The yatra to the holy sites of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is resuming after five years. Here's why the holy journey is significant read more The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is resuming after a gap of five years. File Photo/ANI The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is resuming through the Lipulekh Pass on Monday (June 30), after a gap of five years. The pilgrimage to the 18,000-feet-high Mount Kailash near Lake Mansarovar will see hundreds of devotees making the arduous journey. Both the lake and the mountain are revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Tibetan Bon religion. As the wait for Indians to visit these holy sites ends, we take a look at the spiritual yatra. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's all you need to know. Kailash Mansarovar Lake Mansarovar is a freshwater lake near Mount Kailash in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Locally known as Mapam Yumtso, the lake is at a height of 4,600 metres. Hindus believe Lord Brahma created the lake, which has purifying powers. Mount Kailash is considered the abode of Lord Shiva. The 6,638-metre high peak is revered by Buddhists, who refer to it as 'Mount Meru', as the primary source of spiritual energy. For Jains, their Tirthankara Rishabdeva is said to have attained salvation at what they say is Mount 'Ashtapada'. The routes to reach Kailash Mansarovar The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it was not resumed even post-pandemic, owing to tensions between India and China, especially the Galwan Valley standoff in 2020. The talks to resume the yatra began formally in December last year amid a thaw in frosty relations between the two countries. As the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra finally begins, devotees can take two routes to make it to Lake Mansarovar from India. They can either go via Nathu La pass in Sikkim or Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. At an altitude of 4,310 metres, the Nathu La pass is on the border between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region. The route, fully accessible by vehicles, to Mansarovar lake from this pass is nearly 1,500 km. Devotees would only need to trek 35-40 km for Parikramas (circling the mountain and lake). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Lipulekh pass from Uttarakhand is close to the trijunction of India, Nepal and China. While the lake is nearly 50 km from the border between the Indian state and TAR, the terrain makes the journey tough. The route involves 200 km of hard trekking. Only those between the ages of 18-70 are allowed to undertake the yatra, which typically takes over 20 days. The pilgrims must be physically and medically fit and have a valid Indian passport. How many will undertake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? India has allowed 750 nationals to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year. The yatra is being held from June to August. The pilgrims will travel in 15 groups, travelling through Nathu La pass in Sikkim and Lipulekh Pass to reach the holy site in Tibet. The first batch of 36 Indian pilgrims has already visited Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar lake through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. The yatra through the Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district is commencing on Monday. As many as 250 pilgrims in five batches, comprising 50 pilgrims each, are set to visit Kailash Mansarovar from this route this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The pilgrims will depart from Delhi for the journey after a medical check. After spending a night in Tanakpur, they will reach Dharchula Base Camp on July 5 and leave for the Gunji Camp the following day, Pithoragarh District Magistrate Vinod Goswami said, as per PTI. The pilgrims will undergo a medical examination at the high altitude of Gunji, where they will stay for two days for acclimatisation. Their medical screening will again be done at Nabhidhang before they enter Tibet. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is spiritually awakening for the pilgrims. However, it is a challenging trek. 'The magnitude of such places brings into focus the minuteness of self. I am reminded that my bones, my breath, the vicissitudes of my everyday life are mere flickers in an infinite universe,' Kavitha Yaga Buggana, who undertook the pilgrimage in 2011, told Outlook Traveller. 'The most challenging part of the trek is the 52-km-long Kailash Kora or parikrama that takes you to the highest altitude of 5,630 m (18,471 feet) at the Dolma Pass. The inner Kora is much more strenuous than the outer one,' Buggana added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For those undertaking the holy pilgrimage, they should ensure to carry thermal clothing, such as jackets. They can carry medicines prescribed by their doctors for high-altitude sickness. Carrying snacks, lights and hiking sticks will also help. Instead of sneakers, wear trekking boots and warm socks. With inputs from agencies
