The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra concluded this year with the return of the final batches of pilgrims through the Nathu La route in Sikkim and the Lipulekh route in Uttarakhand, officials said.
A total of 941 pilgrims completed the pilgrimage through the two routes this year, with 464 pilgrims travelling through Sikkim’s Nathu La route and 477 through Uttarakhand’s Lipulekh route.
The pilgrimage through the Nathu La route concluded with the return of the 10th and final batch to Gangtok on Sunday. The yatra through this route began on June 20, with pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
On their return, the pilgrims were felicitated by representatives of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). STDC Principal CEO Gyurmie Yousal said the pilgrims shared their experiences of the journey and described it as a deeply spiritual and memorable experience.
The pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Centre, STDC, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other agencies for facilitating the pilgrimage.
STDS Chairman Lukendra Rasaili said the successful completion of the yatra would contribute to Sikkim’s tourism sector and strengthen the state’s position as an important gateway to Kailash Mansarovar.
Meanwhile, the pilgrimage through the Lipulekh route in Uttarakhand also concluded with the return of the 10th and final batch. According to officials at the Dharchula base camp of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency for the pilgrimage on the Indian side, the final batch comprising 44 pilgrims crossed the Lipulekh Pass at around 9.20 am.
Dhan Singh Bisht, in-charge of the Dharchula base camp, said 477 pilgrims, including 154 women, participated in the yatra through the Uttarakhand route this year.
The final batch was brought directly to Dharchula due to the poor condition of roads following rainfall. The pilgrims were originally scheduled to halt at the Bundi camp.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organises the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra annually, generally between June and August/September, through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This year’s pilgrimage commenced in June, with the two routes operating separately.
The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is considered one of the most significant spiritual journeys for devotees of several faiths, including Hindus and Buddhists. The successful completion of this year’s yatra marked the return of hundreds of pilgrims after their visits to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
(With PTI inputs)
