Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Set to Resume After 5-Year Hiatus
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will resume on June 30, 2025, after a five-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The revered pilgrimage will take place via the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, situated at an altitude of 17,000 feet, as announced by officials on Monday.
The suspension of the yatra since 2020 had left thousands of devotees eagerly awaiting its revival. The resumption of the yatra has been made possible due to the collaborative efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, according to the statement.
Yatra Details and Schedule
The yatra will begin from Delhi on June 30, 2025, and will be carried out in five batches, each consisting of 50 pilgrims, totaling 250 yatris. The first group will enter China via the Lipulekh Pass on July 10, with the final group scheduled to return to India on August 22.
Each group will embark on a 22-day journey, stopping at Tanakpur, Dharchula, Gunji, and Nabhidang before entering Taklakot in China. On their return, pilgrims will halt at Bundi, Chaukori, and Almora before reaching Delhi.
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has been entrusted with organizing the yatra, following a coordination meeting between the Uttarakhand government and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
Health and Safety Protocols
To ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, health check-ups will be conducted in Delhi and again at Gunji before crossing into China. The comprehensive schedule has been designed to ensure proper altitude acclimatization for all participants.
Religious Significance
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, located in Tibet under Chinese administration, hold immense religious importance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon religion. Hindus consider Mount Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva, and it is believed that performing a parikrama (circumambulation) of the mountain and taking a dip in the holy Lake Manasarovar leads to spiritual liberation.
