In a historic moment, a group of pilgrims became the first to witness the revered Kailash Mansarovar, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, from the Old Lipulekh pass in India. This marks a significant departure from previous journeys, where pilgrims had to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region to view the sacred peak.
The Old Lipulekh pass, located in the Vyas Valley of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, holds deep religious importance. The group, which included Neeraj and Mohini from Bhopal, Amandeep Kumar Jindal from Chandigarh, and Kewal Krishan and Narendra Kumar from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, arrived at Gunji camp on Wednesday before trekking 2.5 kilometers to reach the pass.
Upon seeing the sacred peak, all five pilgrims were overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears as they gazed upon Kailash Mansarovar from the designated viewing point, according to local official Arya.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the departments involved for facilitating the experience, emphasizing the government’s dedication to providing such a significant religious opportunity for Lord Shiva devotees. He also noted that with this new route, devotees no longer need to wait for the traditional Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra to Tibet.
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj hailed the event as a “historic moment” for Shiva devotees, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring a memorable pilgrimage experience.
This initiative, organized by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, comes as part of a pilot project, as the traditional Kailash Mansarovar Yatra remains suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, officials from the Tourism Department, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) identified the location where Mount Kailash is clearly visible from Indian soil.
The department has since launched a tour package that includes a helicopter ride from Pithoragarh to Gunji, accommodations, and ‘darshan’ of Mount Kailash, Adi Kailash, and Om Parvat. The four-night, five-day package is priced at ₹80,000 per person.