India Signals Imminent Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra After Four-Year Suspension
New Delhi, April 17 – The revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has remained suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent diplomatic and security challenges, is set to resume soon, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. On Thursday, the Indian government announced that preparations are underway and that an official public notice regarding the resumption of the Yatra could be issued shortly.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing media queries, confirmed the development, stating, “We will soon issue a public notice on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. There is a strong possibility that the Yatra will resume shortly, and preparations for the same are currently in progress. We are hopeful it will take place this year.”
The announcement comes in the wake of recent progress in India-China relations, particularly following the completion of troop disengagement at the remaining friction points of Demchok and Depsang in Eastern Ladakh. The disengagement, which was achieved under the framework of an agreement sealed in October 2023, has contributed to a gradual easing of bilateral tensions and created a conducive environment for the revival of people-to-people initiatives such as the Yatra.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon religion. The journey involves traveling through treacherous mountainous terrain to reach Mount Kailash and the sacred Mansarovar Lake, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The pilgrimage is known not only for its spiritual significance but also for the physical endurance it demands from participants.
Traditionally, the Yatra is organized annually between the months of June and September through two routes — the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. It is facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with the governments of the respective states and Chinese authorities.
Since 2020, the Yatra has been suspended due to the global pandemic and heightened border tensions between India and China, particularly following the Galwan Valley clash. However, recent diplomatic efforts and confidence-building measures have raised optimism about the revival of such bilateral initiatives.
Pilgrims and travel operators across the country have welcomed the news, expressing hope that the resumption of the Yatra will mark a return to normalcy in cross-border spiritual tourism and further bolster people-to-people ties between India and China.
More detailed guidelines regarding dates, eligibility, and logistics for the 2025 edition of the Yatra are expected to be released in the official notification by the Ministry of External Affairs in the coming weeks.
