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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first visit to China, announced that the second route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra will become operational next month, which allows more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage. “The Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June. I want to thank China for that,” the Prime Minister said in his address after signing 24 agreements between India and China.

The only route through Lipulekh Pass was badly damaged due to the floods in the Uttarakhand in 2013. The route through Nathu La Pass can facilitate comfortable travel for Indian pilgrims by buses, especially for elderly Indian citizens, though conditions in the Himalayan region with less oxygen levels still pose a challenge. The second route Nathu La pass is 4,000 metres above sea level and will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.

Mount Kailash  is a peak in the Kailash Range, which forms the part of the Transhimalaya in Tibet. It lies near the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia, the Indus River, the Sutlej River, the Brahmaputra River and the Karnali River. It is considered as the most sacred place for four religions, Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet.

Hindus believe Mt. Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the holy centre of the earth and the manifestation of heaven itself. Tibetan Buddhists profess that Kailash is the home of the Buddha Demchok who symbolizes supreme harmony. The Tibetan religion of ‘Bon’ believes Mount Kailash as their spiritual seat of power. In Jainism, Kailash is referred to as Mount Ashtapada, which is the place where Rishabhadeva attained freedom from the cycle of life and rebirth.

By Premji