Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025

I. Pilgrimage Resumption

• Restarted after 5 years (paused due to COVID-19 + India-China tensions).
• 750 pilgrims selected by MEA (2025):
  • Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): 5 batches × 50 pilgrims
  • Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): 10 batches × 50 pilgrims

II. Spiritual & Geographical Significance (GS Paper I)

• Mount Kailash (6,638 m):
  • Hindus: Shiva’s abode
  • Buddhists: Cosmic axis (Mount Meru)
  • Jains: Site of 1st Tirthankara’s enlightenment
  • Bon: Home of sky goddess Sipaimen
• Sacred Lakes:
  • Manasarovar (freshwater): Ritual baths
  • Rakshastal (saltwater): Spiritual contrast
• River Sources: Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej, Karnali → "Hydrological Crown of Asia"

III. Historical Evolution

Period	Key Developments
Pre-1904	Limited access; reserved for ascetics
1905	Charles Sherring (British official) improved Lipulekh route
1930s	~730 pilgrims/year
1950-1980	Closed after China’s Tibet annexation (1950)
1981	Resumed via Lipulekh (India-China agreement)
2015	Nathu La route opened (easier access)

IV. Modern Accessibility

• Reduced Trekking:
  • 2019: 27 km trek on Indian side → 2025: Only 1 km (motorable roads)
• Nathu La Advantage:
  • 1,500 km route covered by bus/car (Gangtok-Nathu La-Mansarovar)
• Rituals:
  • Parikrama: Kailash (52 km, 3 days) & Mansarovar (90 km, 3-5 days)

**V. Strategic & Diplomatic Angle **

• Geopolitical Sensitivity:
  • Routes pass through China-occupied Tibet → Requires bilateral coordination
  • Lipulekh Pass: Claimed by Nepal (2015 map dispute)
• Infrastructure Push:
  • Border Roads Organisation (BRO) developed routes (e.g., Kailash-Mansarovar Marg)