News & Announcement
First Batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris Flagged Off from Nathu-La
Gangtok, June 20 (IPR): The first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris undertaking the sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar was flagged off today from Nathu-La by the Governor of Sikkim, Mr Om Prakash Mathur. Regarded as one of the most revered pilgrimages in the Hindu faith, the Yatra takes devotees to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, located in the remote Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The first batch comprises 41 Yatris, including two Liaison Officers and one Medical Officer, along with four additional support staff, taking the total strength of the contingent to 47 persons.
Upon his arrival at Nathu-La, the Governor was accorded a Guard of Honour, following which he interacted with the Yatris and inquired about their well-being. He described it as a momentous occasion for the pilgrims to be part of the first batch of the Yatra, which resumed last year after a hiatus of six years.
Subsequently, the Governor flagged off the Yatris on their pilgrimage as they crossed over to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China through Nathu-La Pass, situated at an altitude of 14,140 feet.
As per the schedule, the Yatris are expected to reach Gyangze today, while the Mansarovar Parikrama is slated for June 27, 2026. The first batch is scheduled to return to Gangtok on July 1, 2026.
Today’s flag-off ceremony was also attended by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Commerce and Industries Department, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Raj Kumar Yadav; Principal Chief Executive Officer, STDC, Mr Gyurmee Yousal; DC Gangtok, Mr Rohan Agawane; SP Gangtok, Mr Mahendra Subba; personnel from the ITBP and JAT Regiment; officials of Sikkim Police; officials of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation; and other stakeholders.
The first batch comprises 41 Yatris, including two Liaison Officers and one Medical Officer, along with four additional support staff, taking the total strength of the contingent to 47 persons.
Upon his arrival at Nathu-La, the Governor was accorded a Guard of Honour, following which he interacted with the Yatris and inquired about their well-being. He described it as a momentous occasion for the pilgrims to be part of the first batch of the Yatra, which resumed last year after a hiatus of six years.
Subsequently, the Governor flagged off the Yatris on their pilgrimage as they crossed over to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China through Nathu-La Pass, situated at an altitude of 14,140 feet.
As per the schedule, the Yatris are expected to reach Gyangze today, while the Mansarovar Parikrama is slated for June 27, 2026. The first batch is scheduled to return to Gangtok on July 1, 2026.
Today’s flag-off ceremony was also attended by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Commerce and Industries Department, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Raj Kumar Yadav; Principal Chief Executive Officer, STDC, Mr Gyurmee Yousal; DC Gangtok, Mr Rohan Agawane; SP Gangtok, Mr Mahendra Subba; personnel from the ITBP and JAT Regiment; officials of Sikkim Police; officials of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation; and other stakeholders.
