Overview

• The yatra restart follows a five-year pause imposed in 2020 amid pandemic restrictions and the Galwan standoff between Indian and Chinese forces.
• A computerized, gender-balanced draw selected 750 pilgrims to embark in 15 batches via Nathu La Pass in Sikkim and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.
• Pilgrims face a demanding 52-kilometer parikrama around Mount Kailash, a transformative ritual revered by Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon faiths.
• China has enhanced checkpoint operations with biometrics, oxygen facilities and multilingual interpreters, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs oversees medical screenings and permits.
• The journey is a confidence-building measure in line with October’s Modi-Xi summit agreements and recent LAC troop disengagement, aimed at reviving people-to-people ties.