Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: A Sacred Pilgrimage Set to Resume

India and China are in discussions to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has remained suspended since 2019 due to various geopolitical and health-related reasons.

About Kailash Mansarovar

1. Kailash Mansarovar is a revered pilgrimage site located in the Western Himalayan ranges, within the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
2. The pilgrimage includes Mount Kailash, the highest peak of the Kailash Range, and Lake Mansarovar, which holds the distinction of being the world’s highest freshwater lake.
3. It holds deep religious significance for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, who consider the site sacred.
4. In Hindu belief, Mount Kailash is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva, while Jainism associates it with the liberation of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev.
5. Buddhists regard the mountain as the center of the universe, known as Mount Meru in their cosmology.

Access Routes for the Yatra

1. The Yatra was traditionally conducted through two primary routes:
   1. Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand
   2. Nathu La Pass in Sikkim
2. These routes offer land-based access to pilgrims, combining trekking, road travel, and at times air connectivity, depending on the package and route chosen.

The proposed resumption of the Yatra marks a significant development for both diplomatic cooperation and spiritual tourism, reconnecting devotees with a journey deeply rooted in faith, culture, and tradition.