39 Indian pilgrims undertake Kailash Mansarovar yatra on new Kailash route

Thirty-nine pilgrims on Monday became the first Indians to cross the border into China through Nathu La pass from Sikkim as they undertook the Kailash Mansarovar yatra on a newly opened route.

The opening of a new route from Nathu La, which borders Yadong county in Tibet, will reduce the duration of the arduous pilgrimage. It also marks the first time Indians on passports were allowed to enter China here, with the trading pass earlier only opened to border residents who could enter on short-term travel documents to sell and buy goods.

Accompanied by BJP leader Tarun Vijay, the pilgrims were welcomed in Yadong by the Vice Chairman of the Tibet regional government Dong Mingjun, Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng and officials from the Indian Embassy in Beijing.

Vijay said the opening of the route was a "historic" event in India-China relations, and owed to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. The agreement was reached during Xi's visit to India last year, with both countries tieing up agreements on visas and travel arrangements.

Earlier, pilgrims travelled to Kailash through the challenging Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand which involved covering segments on foot.

"This is a route that is much better," said Manoj Aggarwal from New Delhi, one of the 39 pilgrims. Eleven others in the first batch of 50 dropped out owing to health reasons. Over the next three months, five batches will travel on the new route.

The move has been welcomed most by elderly pilgrims such as Amarlal Minda, 70, from Mumbai, the oldest of the group. "Earlier I would not have been able to under take the yatra," he said. "This may be my only chance so I am thankful for the opportunity".

Madhavi Shukla and her husband Rajkumar from Lucknow were other senior citizens of the group.

"For senior citizens, earlier it was very difficult and they were unable to walk. Now even Mansarovar lak has been covered by bus, and only Mount Kailash will be walking."

Added Madhavi, "For me, the feeling of coming here to Tibet for the first time is heaven. There are no words".