Kailash Mansarovar Yatra | 07 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Tanakpur.

Key Points

• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: 
  • About: 
    • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organises the Yatra every year between June and September. 
    • The pilgrimage is conducted through two official routes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. 
    • Due to the Indo-China border dispute, Indian pilgrims were denied access to Kailash for nearly two decades. 
      • The Yatra resumed in 1981, under the MEA’s supervision and in cooperation with the Chinese government. 
  • Religious and Cultural Significance: 
    • Mount Kailash, revered as the abode of Lord Shiva, holds sacred value in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and the Bonpa tradition of Tibet. 
    • Hindus regard it as a spiritual energy centre, while Jains believe Rishabhdev attained Nirvana here; Buddhists call it Yungdruk Gu Tseg (Nine-Storey Swastika Mountain). 
  • Geographic Features: 
    • Mount Kailash (6,675 m) is located in Western Tibet, known locally as Kang Rampoche or Precious Jewel. 
    • South of Kailash lie Rakastal (Ravan Hrid), Mansarovar, and Gurla Mandhata peak (7,683 m). 
    • Lake Mansarovar lies at an elevation of 4,530 m, with a circumference of 90 km, depth of 90 m, and area of 320 sq. km. 
    • Rakastal (Ravan Hrid) has a circumference of 22 km and is connected to Mansarovar via a 6-km-long channel called Gangachhu. 
      • During the Himalayan uplift, four great rivers originated near Kailash: Indus (north), Karnali (south), Yarlung Tsangpo (east), Sutlej (west), which emerges from Rakastal.