State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 07 Jul 2025

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

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. 

• Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): It is the shortest route to Mansarovar (50 km from the border), but rough terrain extends the trek to 200 km.   
  • It was the first Indian border post opened for trade with China in 1992, followed by Shipki La (1994) and Nathu La (2006).  
• Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): This 1,500 km fully motorable route, opened in 2015, is among the world’s highest motorable roads and allows pilgrims to complete the journey without the need for trekking. 
  • Nathu La connects Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and is part of the ancient Silk Road.