Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been closed for the last five years after the dispute with China. Image credit source: kailash-yatra.org
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese External Affairs Minister Wang Yi during the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During this, there were discussions between the two on issues like resumption of the Kailash Manaswor Yatra and starting direct flights between India and China. Since Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been closed for the last five years, this conversation between the two foreign ministers is considered to be great news for Indian devotees.
Let us know how difficult the journey to Kailash Mansarovar is. How long does it last and how much does it fall in China? Why was there controversy about it? By what routes and in how many days can you get there?
Mount Kailash is so old
Kailash-Mansarovar is considered one of the holiest religious places for Hindus. Mount Kailash is believed to be at least 30 million years old. Its highest peak, Mount Kailash, is considered the sacred abode of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Jains, Buddhists and Tibetans also have great beliefs about this mountain. People of different religions have been coming here on pilgrimage for centuries.
part of tibet
Mount Kailash is actually part of Tibet. Due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, it is not possible to go there without permission from the Chinese administration. After the occupation of Tibet in 1951, China began allowing pilgrims to make this journey. In 1954, after the signing of an MoU between India and China, the entry of Indian pilgrims also began to be allowed. However, due to the Tibetan rebellion of 1959 and the India-China war of 1962, both countries sealed their borders. Following the agreement between India and China in 1981, the journey resumed but due to Covid-19 it was suspended again for five years.
This is a photo of the Tarbuche Tibetan Goodwill Station, which is said to be the gateway to Mount Kailash. Photo: Shailesh Raval/The The IT Group via Getty Images
Yatra is closed since 2020.
The situation between the two countries worsened due to the violence in Galwan. Due to Corona and Galwan violence, direct flight services between the two countries were also stopped. That is why the official routes of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are closed to Indian pilgrims from the year 2020. A big reason for this is the numerous restrictions imposed on this trip by China. China even increased the fees for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. In addition, the rules for traveling became very strict.
How long does it take to walk 53 km?
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been running through different routes between June and September. One route passes through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. The second route was opened from Nathula Pass in Sikkim. Apart from this, a route starting from the city of Shigatse in Tibet goes to Kailash Mansarovar. To reach Mount Kailash, pilgrims have to walk at least 53 km. The distance from Lipulekh Pass to Kailash is about 100 km. It can be reached via the Dharchula-Lipulekh highway, which starts from Ghatiabadgarh and ends at Lipulekh Pass. This road starts from 6000 feet and goes up to a height of 17060 feet.
The journey through the Lipulekh pass takes approximately 24 days, while the journey through the Nathula pass takes 21 days. You can go to Kathmandu by plane and reach Mansarovar by road. Land cruises then take passengers to Mansarovar and Kailash via Lhasa. 16 percent of all this travel is completed in China.
The journey through the Lipulekh pass takes approximately 24 days, while the journey through the Nathula pass takes 21 days. Photo: Photo: kailash-yatra.org
Mansarovar in 90 kilometers
Apart from visiting Kailash, pilgrims also visit Lake Manasarovar, which is situated north of Mount Kailash. Its height is 14950 feet above sea level. Surprisingly, Manasarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world. Mansarovar is located at a distance of 30 km from Mount Kailash and is spread over an area of about 90 km. This lake freezes completely during the winter season. It only contains water during spring.
the trip is very difficult
The journey to Kailash-Mansarovar is very difficult. During this period, ordinary travelers have to climb up to 19,500 feet on bad roads in bad weather. For Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, in addition to the passport and visa to travel to Tibet, you need to be physically and mentally strong. During this trip you have to walk on icy roads. After crossing the border of China, the trip is made by bus or car, through which travelers reach the Daching area, where the base camp is located.
Many times during this trip the temperature drops below. Therefore, it is important that pilgrims are physically strong. There is a shortage of oxygen at altitude. Blood pressure increases. In such a situation, people suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and heart diseases are not recommended to take this trip. Medical examinations are also carried out on passengers at different stages of the trip. If the passenger feels unwell, the travel administration returns him or her.
funeral in china
The government does not take any responsibility for the pilgrims performing the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. The government is not responsible if a passenger is killed or injured due to any type of disaster or any other reason. The government does not take any responsibility even if any item is lost or damaged. Not only this, if a traveler dies at the border of China or Tibet, the government is not obliged to bring back his mortal remains. Before this trip, everyone must sign a consent form so that if they die, they can be cremated in China.
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