The Return of the Sacred Path: Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra Resumes After Five-Year Hiatus
- MGMMTeam
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
After a five-year suspension marked by global disruption and regional tensions, the Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra—one of the most spiritually revered pilgrimages in Asia—is finally set to resume in the summer of 2025. Its return marks not just a moment of joy for thousands of devotees but also signals a rare easing of strain in the complex relationship between India and China.
A Journey Interrupted: The Yatra’s Abrupt Halt in 2020
The Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra had seen a steady rise in participation over the years, drawing pilgrims not only from India but from across the Hindu and Buddhist world. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced governments to close borders and suspend all religious travel. What began as a health crisis soon became a diplomatic one when violent clashes erupted in the Galwan Valley between Indian and Chinese forces, freezing all cultural and people-to-people engagements.
In this backdrop of distrust and disengagement, the sacred journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar—located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China—remained indefinitely suspended. For years, there were no signs of revival. The physical route to the divine appeared severed by the harsh realities of geopolitics.
An Ancient Pilgrimage Steeped in History and Mysticism
The Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra is unlike any other pilgrimage in the world. Mount Kailash, standing at 21,778 feet, is believed by Hindus to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Buddhists see it as the center of the universe and the site of Buddha Demchok’s tantric power. Jains believe it is where their first Tirthankara attained nirvana, and followers of the Bon religion view it as a seat of spiritual energy.
Pilgrims also undertake the parikrama, or circumambulation, of Mount Kailash—a 52-kilometer trek at altitudes ranging from 15,000 to over 19,000 feet. Nearby lies Lake Mansarovar, a serene freshwater body revered as the embodiment of purity, and Rakshastal, a saline lake considered ominous. Together, these form a sacred geography unlike any other, charged with millennia of devotion, mythology, and cosmic intrigue.
The Diplomatic Breakthrough: Reopening the Path in 2025
What changed in 2025? The thaw in bilateral relations between India and China began with a series of quiet yet impactful diplomatic engagements. In October 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan during the SCO Summit. This meeting, followed by backchannel talks between top diplomats and military officers, led to troop disengagement at friction points such as Depsang and Demchok.
With tensions de-escalating, both nations began to explore low-stakes confidence-building measures. The Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra was the most culturally potent among them. In early April 2025, China’s foreign ministry confirmed it would allow Indian pilgrims to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region through the traditional Lipulekh and Nathu La routes.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs soon began preparations. Registration opened in May, and over 5,500 applicants applied for the 750 available slots. Pilgrims were selected through a transparent computerized lottery. Those chosen were informed in early June and have since been preparing for one of the most demanding spiritual experiences of their lives.
Modern Routes and Logistics in 2025
Two primary land routes have been re-established for the yatra:
Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): This is a traditional route that includes a strenuous high-altitude trek. Pilgrims travel from Delhi to Dharchula via Tanakpur, then trek through Gunji and Nabhidang before crossing into Tibet at Lipulekh. The route now benefits from the recently completed road connecting Dharchula to the border, reducing journey time and improving safety.
Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): This motorable route is relatively less physically taxing, with pilgrims transported by bus to the Tibet border. While easier, it involves more permits and coordination with Chinese authorities.
Each batch of 50 pilgrims is assigned a detailed itinerary, with built-in rest days for altitude acclimatization. The Indian government, in collaboration with local authorities, has established modern rest centers, health checkup facilities, oxygen supply stations, and emergency evacuation protocols along both routes.
Faith and Emotion: Pilgrims Share Their Journeys
For many, the resumption of the yatra is not just an opportunity—it’s a fulfilled promise, a lifelong dream, or an act of profound devotion. In the first batch announced for late June, several widows are making the journey in honor of late spouses who had once dreamed of visiting Kailash. Others see it as a chance to seek divine intervention after years of personal struggle.
A 62-year-old pilgrim from Gujarat described the moment she received confirmation as “a calling from Shiva himself.” A younger trekker from Maharashtra said he was “going to the navel of the universe” to seek clarity and healing.
The Role of Local Communities and the Push for Trade Revival
While spiritual in nature, the yatra also touches local economies. Himalayan border communities—especially in Uttarakhand and Sikkim—had suffered deeply during the years of suspended travel and trade. The revival of the pilgrimage brings renewed hopes for tourism, commerce, and livelihood.
In Dharchula and Gunji, members of the Rung community, who traditionally supported the yatra and engaged in cross-border trade, are lobbying the government to reopen the India–Tibet trade route through Lipulekh. Local leaders have highlighted the economic losses suffered due to the prolonged closure and are urging policymakers to build on this diplomatic window of opportunity.
Mount Kailash: Still Unclimbed, Forever Enigmatic
Despite centuries of fascination, no mountaineer has ever climbed Mount Kailash. Tibetans consider it sacrilege to set foot on the sacred summit. Yet scientists and explorers continue to be drawn to its perfect symmetry and magnetic properties. Some researchers have described anomalies in compass readings near the peak. Others cite legends of time moving differently near the mountain—where travelers age rapidly or experience altered consciousness.
The duality of science and spirituality only deepens the mountain’s mystique. For many, Mount Kailash isn’t just a mountain—it is a bridge between the mortal and the divine.
Conclusion: A Path Reopened, A Message of Peace
The resumption of the Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra is more than a return to tradition—it is a hopeful sign that culture and spirituality can transcend politics. While India and China continue to wrestle with unresolved border disputes and deep strategic mistrust, this gesture marks a shared willingness to let faith flow where diplomacy often falters.
It remains to be seen whether this spiritual opening will catalyze broader reconciliation. But for the 750 pilgrims preparing to undertake this sacred journey, the message is clear: some paths, once opened, cannot be permanently closed—not by disease, not by war, and not by fear.
(Sources: OpIndia, Hindustan Times, Reuters)
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