First batch of Mansarovar pilgrims reach Gangtok
The group will cross the border from Nathu La on June 20
Gangtok, June 16: The first batch of 2025 pilgrims, consisting of 36 members, to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet (Tibetan Autonomous Region of China) via Nathu La pass in Sikkim reached Gangtok on Sunday evening.
The group is expected to cross the Indo-China border on June 20. This year, 750 Indian pilgrims have been shortlisted for the Kailash Yatra. Of them, 500 pilgrims are expected to cross from Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, passing through the city of Sahigatse in the Tibetan Autonomous Region; and five batches of 250 people will trek from the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.
The alternative route is made available for Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar via Sikkim after a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs last January during the BRICS summit held in Kazan. This was followed by the 23rd meeting of special representatives held between NSAs Ajit Doval and Wang-Yi in December 2024.
The first batch will take rest in Gangtok overnight and then proceed to 17th Mile and Sherathang for pilgrims’ acclimatisation before proceeding to Kailash Mansarovar on June 20.
The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) has a bigger role to send pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar and back to Gangtok, the additional chief secretary of the Tourism Department, CS Rao, said.
The passage from the Nathu La is safe and takes less time. Pilgrims can have access to vehicles, too.
