During the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In the course of the discussion, the two leaders talked about resuming the Mansarovar Yatra and initiating direct flights between India and China. The pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar has been shut down for five consecutive years. After the discussion between the two foreign ministers, in this particular situation, the followers in India have been informed of significant news.
The expedition to Kailash Mansarovar commences from Lipulekh pass situated at an altitude of 17 thousand feet. This journey commences in June, with its planning beginning as early as January.
The pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar is of great significance in Hinduism. This trip involves going to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, which are both revered as holy locations. It is said that Mount Kailash is the residence of Lord Shiva, and Lake Mansarovar is said to have been made by Lord Brahma. The lake is situated in the elevated plateau of Tibet and sits at an altitude of roughly 4,590 meters.
Pilgrims participating in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra walk around Mount Kailash and immerse themselves in the Mansarovar Lake. This expedition is extremely challenging and requires pilgrims to be both physically and mentally ready for it. Kailash Mansarovar is situated on the elevated Tibetan plateau, a region within the Himalayan mountain range. This location is situated in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, close to the northern border of India. Situated in the western region of Tibet, Mount Kailash stands approximately 6,638 meters tall. Mansarovar Lake is situated approximately 30 kilometers from Mount Kailash.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is greatly linked to China. When undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, obtaining China’s approval is crucial as this pilgrimage site is situated in Tibet, which is presently under China’s autonomy. Hence, one must obtain a Chinese tourist visa in order to travel there. It is necessary to comply with the regulations and requirements set by the Chinese government for traveling in this area.
The suspension of direct flights between India and China and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage was enforced as a result of the Galwan violence and the Corona epidemic. Previously, China had denied entry to approximately 50,000 Indian pilgrims wanting to visit Kailash Mansarovar.
Because of the worsening relations between India and China, the Dragon had also suggested to not issue any new permits for Indians. In April last year, the Hilsa border point, the gateway to Kailash Mansarovar, was inaugurated by Beijing. The attempt made by China to prevent Indians from traveling this year left individuals involved in the tourism sector feeling very let down.
China has been making efforts to prevent Indian pilgrims from visiting Kailash Mansarovar due to tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China has reopened certain border crossings for trade and travel from Nepal, but has specifically prohibited Indian pilgrims from entering. This prohibition crushed the dreams of many Indians who wanted to visit the sacred pilgrimage destination.
The official routes of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been unavailable to Indians since 2020. China enforced numerous limitations on this trip, making it challenging for Indians to travel. China raised the cost of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. In addition to this, China imposed strict regulations for the journey. In other words, a network was created to hinder the Indians, causing the near halt of the Mansarovar Yatra.
The Tibet region is under the political and administrative control of the Chinese government, therefore, approval is required for the trip. It is also essential to secure authorization from the Chinese government, as they are accountable for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of travelers. Approval from the Chinese government is necessary to safeguard Tibet’s environment as well. Typically, the authorization lasts for a period of 3 to 6 months. This trip typically takes between 14 and 21 days to finish.