Context: India and China have decided to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra in June 2025. Since 2020, the yatra was suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic and following military stand-off along the LAC, including the Galwan incident. Resuming the yatra is considered a significant step in improving relations between the two nations.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra; Mount Kailash.
About Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- The yatra includes visits to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.
- The Ministry of External Affairs, India organises the Yatra during June to September through two different routes:
- Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand)
- Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).
- It is open to eligible Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports.
- The Yatra is organised with the support from state governments of Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Sikkim; and cooperation of Indo Tibetan Border Police.
- MEA does not provide any subsidy or financial assistance to Yatris.
Location
- Mount Kailash is located in the Kailash Range (forms part of the Transhimalaya) in Tibet.
- Lake Manasarovar is a high altitude freshwater lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet.
- Four rivers emerge from the Kailash-Mansaorovar region: Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Indus and Kamali (Karnali).
Religious Significance
- Hindus believe Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva. Mansarovar lake is said to be one of Goddess Sati’s 51 Shaktipeeths.
- Tibetans, Buddhists and Jains revere it as the ‘Stairway to heaven’.
- Jains hold that Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankar (Jains’ spiritual preacher), found enlightenment at Mount Kailash.
- The Mount is referred to in Jain literature as “Ashtapada,” or “the eight steps,” which can pave the way to enlightenment and spiritual advancement.