Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: It is set to resume in 2024, after being suspended since 2020. Details of the 2025 yatra to be announced, likely before the next Special Representatives meet in Delhi.

• About Lake Mansarovar: known locally as Mapam Yumtso, is a high altitude freshwater lake near Mount Kailash in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

o Elevation of the lake is 4,600 metres, and Mount Kailash is 6,638 metres high.

o Lake and mountain are sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Tibetan Bon religion.

o Hundreds of pilgrims trek to the region annually, circumambulating Mount Kailash after visiting the lake.

o Eligibility criteria included Indian passport holders, aged 18–70, and medically fit.

• The Two Routes from India:

o Lipulekh Pass Route: Lipulekh Pass lies at 5,115 metres on the Uttarakhand-TAR border, near Nepal trijunction. Ancient trade and pilgrimage route between India and the Tibetan Plateau.

o Nathu La Pass Route: Nathu La lies at 4,310 metres on the Sikkim-TAR border.

ü Fully motorable route covering ~1,500 km to reach the lake.

ü Logistics on Indian side handled by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (Lipulekh) and Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (Nathu La).

o Nepal Route: Third route via Nepal, reopened by China in 2023, accessible to Indians.

ü Visa and permit challenges, along with high China-imposed fees, limited its use.

ü India developing a viewing spot near Lipulekh in Dharchula, offering direct view of Mount Kailash.