After China Made Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Difficult, Uttarakhand Govt Explores Alternative Routes To Facilitate Kailash 'Darshan'

The Uttarakhand government is exploring alternate routes to offer devotees a glimpse of Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, from the old Lipulekh peak, as China is making it difficult for pilgrims to visit the holy place.

Situated on the western side of the Lipulekh Pass, which serves as the gateway to Tibet, the old Lipulekh peak stands at approximately 17,500 feet above sea level.

The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra is resuming this year after being suspended for several years due to various reasons.

However, despite resumption of the Yatra, pilgrims have been forced to explore alternate routes for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass due to stringent visa rules and an increase in yatra expenditure by China.

Currently, Chinese visa is required for pilgrims for 'darshan' of Mount Kailash. The yatra registration for this year began on 1 May, but China has made rules stricter for the pilgrimage this year.

Earlier, pilgrims were able to undertake the yatra for Rs 90,000, but this year the price has doubled to Rs 1.85 lakh.

According to news agency PTI, Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate Devesh Shashni stated that a team consisting of tourism department officials, district authorities, adventure tourism experts, and Border Roads Organisation officials recently visited the old Lipulekh peak, which provides a clear view of the majestic Mount Kailash, to assess its potential as a religious tourism destination.

During an interview with NDTV, Kirti Chand, a member of the team that visited these sites, confirmed that they are in the process of finalising the route.

"We visited these places and reviewed logistics and issues a pilgrim might face," Chand was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Chand added that a report, with pictures of the area, is being submitted to the Uttarakhand government.

"The aerial distance from the old Lipulekh pass to Mount Kailash is just fifty kilometres and the view is very clear," he added.

According to officials cited in the report, 'Kailash Darshan' from the old Lipulekh peak can serve as an alternative to the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

Completing the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra from Delhi can be done in four to five days.

Pilgrims can travel to Nabhidhang via Dharchula and Budhi by road, and then cover the remaining two kilometres on foot as the climb is challenging.

"Our team was asked to submit a report on the possibility of religious tourism in the Vyas Valley, for which we visited the old Lipulekh peak, Nabhidhang and Adi Kailash region," District Tourism Officer Kriti Chand was quoted as saying by PTI.

He added, "A snow scooter can transport pilgrims to the peak, which is situated at an altitude of 19,000 feet above sea level and is 1,800 metres from the Lipulekh Pass".

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed a road up to the base of the peak.

According to residents of Vyas Valley in Pithoragarh district, where the pass is situated, earlier too, elderly or unwell pilgrims who were unable to cross over to Mansarovar, used to have the 'darshan' of the sacred Mount Kailash from the old Lipulekh peak.