Key Points
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes after a five-year suspension due to the pandemic and border tensions.
- The 2025 Yatra will run from June 30 to August 25, with online registration open at kmy.gov.in.
- Pilgrims will be selected through a computerized, gender-balanced lottery system.
- Strict medical fitness tests are mandatory due to the high-altitude, challenging terrain.
- The Yatra holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers.
New Delhi: After a five-year hiatus, the revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume from June 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone for spiritual seekers and signaling a thaw in India-China relations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the reopening, with the pilgrimage scheduled to run until August 25, 2025. This is the first time since 2020-when the Yatra was halted due to COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley border standoff-that devotees will once again be able to undertake this sacred journey.
Why Was the Yatra Suspended?
The Yatra was suspended in 2020 owing to the global pandemic and escalating military tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Recent diplomatic engagements, including troop disengagements and high-level talks, paved the way for the resumption of this cross-border pilgrimage-a move seen as a step towards rebuilding trust and normalizing bilateral ties.
Routes, Group Details, and Selection Process
- Routes:
- Lipulekh Pass, Uttarakhand: 5 groups, 50 pilgrims each
- Nathu La Pass, Sikkim: 10 groups, 50 pilgrims each
- Total pilgrims allowed: 750
- Selection:
- Applications are accepted only via the official portal kmy.gov.in.
- Selection is through a fair, computer-generated, gender-balanced random process-no physical documents, letters, or faxes required.
- Application Deadline:
- Last date to apply: May 13, 2025.
Medical Fitness: A Mandatory Requirement
Given the high-altitude, physically demanding nature of the Yatra (reaching up to 17,000 feet), all selected pilgrims must pass comprehensive medical tests. These include checks for blood pressure, cardiac health, diabetes, and pulmonary function, conducted at authorized centers in Delhi and by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at designated points along the route. Only those deemed medically fit will be permitted to proceed, ensuring the safety of all participants.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, located in Tibet Autonomous Region, are among the most sacred sites in the world:
- Hindus: Consider Mount Kailash the abode of Lord Shiva, and Lake Mansarovar as a purifier of sins and a path to salvation.
- Buddhists: See Kailash as the Axis Mundi, the spiritual center of the universe, and a place for meditation and enlightenment.
- Jains: Believe their first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, attained liberation here.
- Bon Followers: Regard it as the seat of their sky goddess and a spiritual epicenter.
The journey is not only a test of faith but also of endurance, with rituals such as the circumambulation (parikrama) of Mount Kailash and a dip in the holy lake believed to cleanse devotees of lifetimes of karma.
Tips and Advice for Applicants
- Apply early to maximize your chances in the computerized selection process.
- Begin physical preparations months in advance-walking, jogging, and breathing exercises are recommended.
- Stay updated by regularly checking kmy.gov.in for instructions and news.
- Attend mandatory briefings and follow all guidelines for a safe and successful pilgrimage.
For detailed information, eligibility, and to register, visit the official portal: kmy.gov.in.
