Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to resume via Nathu La in Sikkim after five years

After a five-year suspension, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, coinciding with the state’s golden jubilee celebrations of joining the Indian Union. The resumption comes ahead of statehood day festivities, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present.

The pilgrimage, revered by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, is conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs between June and September. It offers two routes: Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim. This year, ten batches of yatris will travel via Nathu La, each over a 21-day period, with the first group departing from Delhi on June 15 and crossing into Tibet on June 20. The final batch is scheduled to depart on August 7.

Each yatri will bear an estimated cost of ₹2.83 lakh, and participation is limited to Indian passport holders. The government does not provide any financial assistance for the journey.

To ensure smoother passage and safety, the Sikkim government has stepped up infrastructure development. Nathu La Pass, located about 60 km from Gangtok, now features improved roads, rest houses, and two new acclimatisation centres to help travellers adjust to the high altitude and thin air.

The pilgrimage was halted in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by military tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The revival of the route marks a symbolic step forward in cross-border cooperation and religious tradition.