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Kailash–Manasarovar Pilgrimage Resumes
After a 5 year hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating India–China border tensions, the revered Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra has resumed in 2025—bringing spiritual relief to thousands of devotees and marking a cautious but significant thaw in bilateral relations.
On June 20, the first group of Indian pilgrims, numbering 36 (including 23 women and 13 men), crossed the border into Tibet via the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This reopening has been greeted with widespread joy across religious communities, government circles, and border regions, long economically reliant on the seasonal spiritual traffic.
The Sacred Journey: An Overview
Mount Kailash, believed to be the earthly abode of Lord Shiva, and the serene Lake Manasarovar, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, hold immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon faith. The annual pilgrimage, known as the Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra, is not just a trek but a spiritual journey believed to cleanse the soul and grant moksha (liberation).
For Hindus, circumambulating Mount Kailash (called parikrama) and bathing in Lake Manasarovar are acts of ultimate piety. Buddhists regard the mountain as the sacred axis mundi—the center of the universe. The pilgrimage thus serves as a unifying thread among multiple faiths.
The Routes and Schedule
The yatra this year is taking place through two traditional land routes:
- Nathu La Pass, Sikkim:
- 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each
- This shorter route allows pilgrims to travel by road all the way to the sacred sites in Tibet, making it ideal for the elderly or those unable to trek long distances.
- Lipulekh Pass, Uttarakhand:
- 5 batches of 50 pilgrims each
- This route includes a rigorous 22-day journey, with trekking through rugged Himalayan terrain and stops for acclimatization at Dharchula, Gunji, and Nabhidang.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) selected the 750 pilgrims from a pool of 5,500 applicants through a computerized, gender-balanced lottery system. Medical screenings, high-altitude training, and insurance coverage have been made mandatory for all selected pilgrims.
A Diplomatic Breakthrough
The resumption of the Yatra follows months of quiet diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing. The bilateral dialogue gained momentum after the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, during which confidence-building measures were prioritized.
Formal approval for the pilgrimage came in early 2025, during discussions led by the Indian and Chinese foreign secretaries. Analysts view the reopening of the Yatra as a soft-power initiative aimed at rebuilding trust following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which had frozen nearly all people-to-people exchanges between the two Asian giants.
While both sides remain cautious, the symbolic power of the Yatra reopening cannot be overstated. It reflects a desire to promote stability, even as deeper strategic tensions remain unresolved.
The First Steps: 2025 Pilgrimage Commences
The first batch of pilgrims gathered in Gangtok, where Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha flagged off the journey. They were escorted to the Nathu La border post by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and later handed over to Chinese officials in Tibet.
Their itinerary includes stops for acclimatization, spiritual rituals, and the highly anticipated parikrama of Mount Kailash, a physically demanding 52-kilometre trek around the sacred mountain. The pilgrims are expected to return in about 11–14 days.
The Lipulekh route—a favorite among adventure seekers—will begin on June 30, with the final batch returning by August 22. This route remains logistically challenging, requiring coordination from Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam and various border agencies.
Spiritual, Economic, and Strategic Significance
- Spiritual Renewal
For millions of Indians, the Yatra’s return is deeply symbolic. It revives a pathway to spiritual growth and reconnects individuals with ancient traditions that transcend national boundaries.
- Economic Boost to Border States
The pilgrimage is also a financial boon for remote regions like Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and East Sikkim, where local businesses—hotels, guides, porters, and transport operators—depend on seasonal pilgrim influx.
- A Test of Diplomacy
Beyond its religious importance, the Yatra acts as a litmus test for India–China cooperation. Smooth conduct of this year’s batches will indicate improving bilateral relations, albeit in a limited domain.
Challenges and Considerations
While the Yatra’s reopening is a milestone, challenges remain:
- Geopolitical Uncertainty: The stability of future pilgrimages will heavily depend on sustained peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Health and Safety: The high-altitude terrain poses serious risks such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), requiring robust medical preparedness.
- Environmental Impact: With increased footfall, ensuring the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is not degraded becomes essential. Strict environmental guidelines are being enforced.
Conclusion
The resumption of the Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra in 2025 is a landmark moment—for pilgrims, policymakers, and the broader India–China relationship. It rekindles an age-old spiritual tradition while quietly reflecting progress in diplomatic dialogue.
As the yatris walk the sacred paths again, they not only seek divine blessings but also carry with them the hopes of two nations inching, however slowly, toward peace and mutual respect.
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