Registration for yatra begins after China nod

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday announced this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Tibet on two routes after China permitted resumption of the yatra through the new motorable route via the Nathu La in Sikkim into Tibet.

It is well-known that China had stopped the pilgrimage last year on this route due to the military stand-off with India in Doklam.

The government had informed Parliament recently that the Chinese government has resumed the Kailash Mansoravar Yatra through the Nathu La route in Sikkim.

In a recent reply before Parliament, minister of state for external affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd) had said, “The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Nathu La route was not undertaken in 2017 after the Chinese government cited unfavourable conditions to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra on this route. This matter was raised by the government with the Chinese government, including during the meeting of the external affairs minister with the Chinese foreign minister in December 2017. Subsequently, the Chinese government has confirmed resumption of yatra on this route.”

It may be recalled that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China through the new route via Nathu La was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India in September 2014 and was opened in 2015.

The new motorable route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La, 4,000 metres above sea level, has facilitated more comfortable travel for the Indian pilgrims, especially for the elderly, by buses compared to the old route via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, “Registration for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organised by the MEA has commenced on February 20, 2018. This year, the yatra is scheduled during the period June 8 to September 8 through two routes...”