The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Widely considered as a sacred pilgrimage, the Yatra holds immense significance for a plethora of religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.
It is also one of the most difficult pilgrimages in the world as the journey involves traversing extremely difficult terrains amid unpredictable weather conditions. Aside from private operators, the Yatra is officially jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India and the Government of China.
Why is the Yatra in the news?
The Yatra is currently in the news after it came to light that around 52 pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded at Kathmandu, Nepal.
The matter was flagged on X by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule who urged the MEA to extend all the necessary support for the safe resumption of their journey. The pilgrims are stranded in Nepal as they do not possess the required entry permit and visas for China to continue their onward journey handled by private tour operators.
The plight of the pilgrims prompted the MEA to issue a travel advisory urging pilgrims to ensure that they have all the necessary travel documents before commencing their journey. The advisory also urged pilgrims to ensure that in the case of them opting for private tour operators, the pilgrims must ensure that the operators are duly registered and authorised.
What are the prominent routes for the Yatra?
The MEA organises the Yatra via two routes - through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or through the Nathula Pass in Sikkim.
Private operators mainly make use of a third route through Kathmandu in Nepal.
What are the necessary travel documents required for the Yatra?
- An Indian passport valid for at least six months as on 01 September of the current year is a must for the Yatra.
- Passport size colour photograph. Six copies are needed for the journey undertaken by the MEA.
- For the journeys operated by the MEA through either Lipulekh Pass or through the Nathula Pass, travellers need not separately apply for Chinese visa and travel permit requirements. The travel permits are arranged through official government processes.
- For journeys operated by private operators via Nepal, a Chinese Group Visa and travel permits are needed. The Chinese Group Visa has to be acquired from the Embassy of China in New Delhi and not from the Embassy of China in Kathmandu. Independent travel to Kailash Mansarovar is not allowed - the journey can only be undertaken as a group.
- It has to be noted that Group visas are valid only for the duration of the tour and it cannot be used for other regions of China. It also has to be kept in mind that one cannot use a regular Chinese tourist or business visa to enter Tibet for the yatra.
- Pilgrims opting for the MEA-operated routes are required to also submit: An indemnity bond, executed on a ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper (or as applicable locally) and duly authenticated by a First Class Magistrate or a Notary Public; an undertaking for evacuation by helicopter in case of emergency and a consent form for cremation of mortal remains on Chinese side in case of death there are necessary.
- Medical Fitness Certificates: For the MEA routes, pilgrims must undergo comprehensive medical examinations at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Hospital in New Delhi and obtain medical fitness clearance before being allowed to proceed.
