The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for this year will be conducted between June and August through two designated routes — Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim. The pilgrimage will be organised in coordination with the Chinese government.
A total of 20 batches have been planned this year, with 10 batches assigned to each route. Each batch will carry 50 selected pilgrims. Registration is currently open on the official portal kmy.gov.in, which has been made the sole platform for applications and communication.
The ministry has said the entire process is fully digital, with no requirement for physical submissions such as letters or faxes. All updates, queries, and feedback will be handled through the online system. The last date for registration is May 19.
Selection of pilgrims will be done through a computer-generated random process, with a provision to maintain gender balance. Applicants can choose either one route or apply for both with a stated preference.
For the Nathu La route in Sikkim, 10 batches have been scheduled. The journey is expected to take around 21 days, with an estimated cost of ₹3.31 lakh per person.
The Lipulekh Pass route in Uttarakhand will also have 10 batches. The duration of the journey is about 22 days, and the estimated cost per pilgrim is ₹2.09 lakh.
The MEA has stated that the online portal is intended to improve transparency and simplify communication, allowing applicants to submit queries and receive updates directly through the system.
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra holds deep religious and cultural importance. It is undertaken by pilgrims from across India and is associated with Hindu belief as the abode of Lord Shiva. It also carries significance for Jain and Buddhist traditions.
Founded in 2016, The Traveller Trails is a print and digital magazine and a trusted source for current news, trends, analysis, opinions, interesting blogs, videos and exclusive interviews from every corner of the world.
