After a prolonged pause of five years, the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via Sikkim is set to resume, and preparations are in full swing by the state government. This sacred journey will commence through the Nathu La Pass, which connects Sikkim with China’s Tibet.
The state government is establishing two acclimatization centers between Gangtok and Nathu La to assist pilgrims in adjusting to the high altitudes. Alongside this, clean toilets and other facilities are being developed along the route. Legislator Thinley Shering Bhutia from Kabi Lungchok mentioned personally inspecting ground conditions to ensure better amenities for those journeying to Mansarovar. He conveyed that the serene environment of Sikkim makes the route through the Nathu La border particularly appealing.
Last month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that this journey would commence from two routes between June and August: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. Legislator Bhutia emphasized that due to well-maintained roads on the Nathu La route, the pilgrimage promises to be safer and more convenient.
The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage was halted in 2020 first due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later because of border tensions between India and China. However, in October 2023, both nations reached an accord to withdraw troops from contentious zones such as Demchok and Depsang in Eastern Ladakh. During Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing in January 2024, both countries resolved to rekindle relations by resuming the Kailash Mansarovar journey.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this year a total of 15 groups will participate in the pilgrimage. Five from Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and ten from Nathu La in Sikkim, each including 50 pilgrims. Legislator Bhutia revealed that they are actively assessing the facilities along the pilgrimage route with departmental officials and representatives, soon to forward detailed proposals to the tourism department. He further added that discussions on various improvement suggestions for the region's development took place, with a comprehensive cost analysis set to be submitted to the tourism department.
