By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 19 Apr: The revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended since 2020 owing to elevated tensions between India and China, is now set to resume in 2025, much to the delight of the pilgrims and devotees of lord Shiva across the nation. The decision comes on the heels of steady improvement of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries and is being hailed as a landmark moment in the restoration of religious and cultural exchanges.
The pivotal breakthrough came during a meeting between Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, held on the margins of the Kazan Summit in October 2024. The two leaders had arrived at a mutual understanding regarding disengagement from sensitive areas in eastern Ladakh, particularly Demchok and Depsang, thereby opening the path for renewed cooperation. Thereafter progress was also reviewed during a formal meeting between officials of the two foreign ministries in Beijing in March this year.
The Ministry of External Affairs is now engaged in full-scale preparations for the pilgrimage and is expected to issue a formal public notice shortly. A multi-agency coordination mechanism has been activated to facilitate logistics, safety, and permissions for the sacred journey. The State Government of Uttarakhand has also been directed to initiate necessary administrative and infrastructural measures, especially in light of the traditional route passing through the state.
Historically, one of the principal routes for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been via the Lipulekh Pass in the district of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. This route, steeped in antiquity and sanctity, commences from Dharchula, ascends through Gunji and Kalapani, and finally crosses the Lipulekh Pass into the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The journey, though arduous, is celebrated for its breath-taking vistas of the Himalayan peaks and its spiritual resonance with countless pilgrims over the decades.
The Uttarakhand Government, under the guidance of the Ministry of External Affairs, is taking earnest steps to ready the Pithoragarh district for the forthcoming season. Local authorities have been tasked with restoring trekking paths, upgrading transit facilities, and ensuring the well-being of Yatris en route. State officials have expressed their readiness and are coordinating closely with central agencies to uphold the sanctity and security of the pilgrimage.
Moreover, both India and China are presently considering a possible redefinition of the Yatra routes to enhance accessibility and ensure safety. Alongside the Lipulekh route, the Demchok corridor is also under examination as a supplementary path, subject to future diplomatic and security assessments.
This momentous revival of the Yatra coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China in 2025, further underscoring its symbolic significance. The subject had also figured prominently in bilateral talks held during the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024 and the subsequent consultations in January 2025. Progress was reviewed during a formal meeting between officials of the two foreign ministries in Beijing in March this year.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which leads pilgrims to the sacred Mount Kailash and the pristine lake- Mansarovar, believed to be the abode of lord Shiva and a reservoir of spiritual purity—has long served as a cultural bridge between the ancient civilisations of Bharat and Tibet. Its resumption in 2025 shall not only rekindle a cherished religious tradition but also reaffirm the potential of diplomacy to restore the pathways of faith and fraternity.
