Latest news with #KailashMansarovarYatra
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- The Hindu
First batch of pilgrims visit Mansarovar, appeal for more yatra slots to be opened
As the first batch of Indian pilgrims since 2020 visited the Mansarovar Lake, preparing to begin their return journey on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, they expressed the hope that India and China could agree to allow more yatris to make the trek in future years. Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar Lake lie in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This first batch of pilgrims left Delhi on June 15 and arrived this week at Darchen to begin the Parikrama or circular route around Mount Kailash. They will head back on Saturday (June 28, 2025), and cross over into India on July 1, completing a route by road of about 2,000 km, trekking an uphill and rugged terrain of about 52 km on foot. As they touched the pristine blue waters of Mansarovar Lake, the world's highest freshwater lake at 4,588 metres, they burst into meditational chants. The pilgrimage marks the first resumption of a people-to-people mechanism between India and China after the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control began in 2020. 'Widen the experience' 'This yatra happens for only three months, and this year, only 750 people were allowed to come for it. As a yatri, and given the experience that we have got here, we would want that both the governments should allow more and more people so they can get to experience this as well,' said Vineet Gupta, a 43-year-old software professional from Mumbai. Mr. Gupta, one of the 36 pilgrims who completed the arduous trek around Mount Kailash on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) and the Parikrama around Mansarovar Lake on Friday (June 27, 2025), said he felt blessed and energised rather than fatigued. 'In all our scriptures, it is said that the gods come to bathe here every day. So when we take the waters, we believe our sins are absolved and that we achieve salvation,' he said, when asked about the significance of the Mansarovar Lake's water. Rising tourist nunbers According to the Ministry of External Affairs' response to a query in Parliament, the number of pilgrims allowed to join the yatra each year — which is negotiated between the Foreign Ministries of India and China — has fluctuated every year since the route was first reopened in 1981. In 2015, the Nathu La Pass route via Sikkim was also added to the existing route through Lipulekh pass via Uttarakhand, and 999 pilgrims made the pilgrimage. By 2019, the number had increased to 1,364. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the yatra, however, and tensions on the LAC since 2020 casting a shadow, this year's cohort is far smaller. The yatris noted that many whose names were picked by a computerised lottery from about 5,000 applicants did not pass the medical tests. Thus, while each batch is meant to include 50 pilgrims, the first batch only had 36. In recent years, the Chinese government has also restricted visitors to the lake from bathing in the lake, citing 'environmental protection purposes', a Chinese embassy official in Delhi said. 'Educate pilgrims' Retired manager Devi Prasad Ketkar, 61, who has travelled here from Mumbai along with his wife, said that the yatra had been 'beyond his dreams', as he had been disheartened by its suspension for the past six years. Asked whether more pilgrims being allowed to join the yatra could affect the holy sites, Mr. Ketkar said that it was more important to educate visitors than cut their numbers. 'I think restricting the number of pilgrims should not matter as much as the need to educate them about eco-friendly travel and how we must behave towards the environment. That education is much more important for all than restricting travel,' Mr. Ketkar said, in response a question from The Hindu. The first batch of pilgrims includes men and women between the ages of 20 to 69, all of whom have been able to complete the journey thus far without any medical issues, especially given the altitude, the group said. The oldest among them is 69 year old Pradnya Devi. The silver-haired lady beamed with joy as she prayed to Mount Kailash clearly visible from the banks of Mansarovar, and sprinkled water from the lake over her head, as is the custom. Ms. Devi has taken a vow of silence for the term of the yatra and responded to questions only with head shakes. When asked if she would like to stay longer, however, she nodded vigorously and smiled broadly .
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajnath Singh pushes for border demarcation with China
NEW DELHI: India pushed for a permanent solution of border demarcation with China and underlined the need to solve complex issues through a structured roadmap of engagement and de-escalation, during talks between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on Thursday. Defence minister Rajnath Singh meets Chinese defence minister Admiral Dong Jun on sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting, in Qingdao on Thursday. (ANI) Singh 'stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue,' the defence ministry said on Friday, a day after two ministers held talks at Qingdao in China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting. Singh also called for bridging the trust deficit created after the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh by taking action on the ground. Both India and China have a differing perception of the LAC because of which rival patrols often come face-to-face along the contested border. 'The two ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and eventual de-limitation through existing mechanisms,' the ministry said in a statement. This was Singh's first visit to China after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh. Last October, the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) completed their disengagement from Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh; the last two flashpoints along the LAC. The development allowed the two armies to get past a two-year impasse in negotiations and reduce border tensions that began in May 2020. 'Both sides should agree to demarcate the LAC to overcome the problem of existing disputed areas, which are mostly in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and eliminate the face-offs that take place when patrols come face to face in those areas,' said military affairs expert Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd). Singh acknowledged the work being done by both sides 'to bring back semblance of normalcy' in the bilateral relationship, and emphasised 'the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits as well as to cooperate for stability in Asia and the world.' 'The two ministers held in-depth discussions on the need to maintain peace and tranquillity along the India-China border,' the statement added. Singh appreciated the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar yatra. On Friday, he highlighted the need to avoid new complexities in the India-China relationship. 'Held talks with Admiral Dong Jun…We had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on issues…Expressed my happiness on restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years. It is incumbent on both sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship,' Singh wrote on X. He also briefed the Chinese defence minister on the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike and the subsequent Operation Sindoor aimed at dismantling the terrorist networks in Pakistan. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. The SCO defence ministers' meeting could not issue a joint communique on Thursday as India refused to endorse the document because it did not address its terrorism-related concerns. Singh refused to sign the joint communique as it was silent on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed but mentioned the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan by the Balochistan Liberation Army on March 11, as reported by HT. In his address at the meeting, Singh said India launched Operation Sindoor exercising its right to defend itself against terrorism and pre-empt and deter further cross-border attacks. 'It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations,' he said at the time, adding that the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, should be held accountable and brought to justice. On Thursday, Singh also held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the SCO defence ministers' meeting. It was one of the most important recent meetings between the leaders of the two nations, held in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and the consequent need to augment defence production, especially in critical items such as air defence, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities, and upgrades of air platforms, the ministry said in another statement. 'Supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting.'
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Demarcation, Delimitation At Borders: India Shares 4-Point Plan With China
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. The bilateral conversation, India's highest-level military dialogue with China in recent months, centred around maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and charting a roadmap for long-term border stability. A Four-Point Roadmap During the meeting, Mr Singh proposed a four-point plan designed to prevent further deterioration in India-China relations: 1. Strict Adherence to the 2024 Disengagement Agreement: Both sides are expected to honour and implement the disengagement pact signed in October last year, covering the remaining friction points in Eastern Ladakh, particularly Demchok and Depsang. 2. De-escalation Measures: Mr Singh called for continuous efforts to de-escalate tensions and avoid any flare-ups along the LAC. 3. Demarcation and Delimitation: Mr Singh urged for fast-tracked negotiations towards finalising the boundary delineation process. " Mr Singh stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue," a government statement read. 4. Addressing Trust Deficit: The Defence Minister stressed the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve the "best mutual benefits" as well as to cooperate for stability in Asia and the world. He also called for bridging the "trust deficit" created after the 2020 border standoff. This dialogue marks the first high-level military engagement since India and China concluded the disengagement process at Demchok and Depsang Plains in October 2024. That agreement was the outcome of intense negotiations, culminating in the October 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping meeting in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting coincided with the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a nearly six-year suspension. Originally halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later extended due to the border standoff, the pilgrimage to the Tibet Autonomous Region was viewed by both sides as a symbolic gesture towards normalisation. Terrorism and Pakistan Mr Singh also raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, particularly referencing the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam which left 26 people dead. Mr Singh briefed his Chinese counterpart on Operation Sindoor, India's counter-terrorism campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. Mr Singh refused to sign the joint SCO Defence Ministers' declaration that omitted any reference to terrorism or the Pahalgam attack. India viewed the exclusion as a deliberate attempt to downplay terrorism in the region. The final text of the SCO document instead made reference to Balochistan, which New Delhi interpreted as a veiled accusation.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israeli Troops Tried To Kill Khamenei Amid Iran War, But This Happened
Rajnath Singh Warns China: Maintain Peace, But Operation Sindoor Will Continue to Defend Borders Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Chinese counterpart Admiral Don Jun to send a clear dual-message: India seeks peace, but not at the cost of national security. Singh reiterated that Operation Sindoor—India's proactive anti-terror and border defense strategy—will continue without pause, signaling zero tolerance for cross-border threats. While discussing the restart of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Singh also reminded China that spiritual diplomacy must be matched with respect for territorial integrity. The conversation comes after years of tensions post-Galwan and disengagement agreements at Demchok and Depsang. With NSA Doval also recently in Beijing, is the Dragon-Elephant equation finally rebalancing—or heading for a new friction point? Watch the full report now.#rajnathsingh #india #donjun #china #rajnathinchina #indiavschina #lactalks #scoqingdao #kailashmansarovar #galwanreset #modixi #operationsindoor #indiavschina #scoqingdao #lactensions #kailashyatra #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews 7.6K views | 2 hours ago
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
NDTV Ground Report: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes After 6 Years
After a long wait of nearly six years, the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed. The revered journey, suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising tensions along the border following the Galwan Valley clash, has finally reopened, allowing devotees to undertake the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. NDTV's ground report captured the first glimpses of the majestic Kailash Parvat. On June 21, the first batch of Indian pilgrims crossed into China's Tibet Autonomous Region via the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This year, 750 pilgrims were selected from over 5,500 applicants through a computerised lottery. Organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs between June and September, the yatra is being conducted through two designated routes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. The pilgrimage spans 23 to 25 days and includes a challenging 45-km trek. NDTV spoke with several pilgrims at different stages of the journey. Pilgrims, many visibly emotional, were seen chanting " Har Har Mahadev" and " Om Namah Shivaya", and sprinkling holy Ganga water at the banks of Mansarovar Lake. While bathing in the sacred waters is prohibited, devotees believe that even setting foot at the lake washes away lifetimes of sins. One pilgrim shared with NDTV, "The entire cosmos is said to be centered around Kailash. This place is believed to be the centre of the universe. Now that we are standing here, words fail us. We are speechless." Another devotee remarked with folded hands, "The greatest strength I've found is that of Lord Shiva's blessings." A woman pilgrim said, "The youngest in our group is 20 years-old and the oldest is 69. Every member of our batch has completed the parikrama successfully. It's nothing short of a divine blessing." Among the most touching visuals captured was that of an elderly woman who had taken a maun vrat, a vow of silence. Though she did not speak, her hand gestures conveyed deep devotion, she raised her hands to the sky and brought them down over her head, taking blessings. With a gentle smile and folded hands, she stood still as droplets of sacred water shimmered on her skin.
