Wonderful news for those wishing to partake in one of Asia’s most enduring and transformative pilgrimages. India and China have agreed to resume direct flights for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a highly revered pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar for Hindus. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced this decision, which follows Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Beijing and efforts to de-escalate border disputes.
Also, experience the sacred grandeur through these Kailash Manasarovar photographs by Milam Moudgill.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: India-China direct flights to ease travel
#World24x7 with @ParmeshwarBawa | Thaw In Ties: India, China To Resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pic.twitter.com/3pGJXalVNQ
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The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra holds deep cultural and religious significance. The Gangdisê Mountains (Kailash Range) are the origin of major rivers, such as the Brahmaputra, Indus, and the tributaries of the Ganges. In Hindu mythology, bathing in Lake Mansarovar is believed to absolve one of sins for a hundred lifetimes.
However, accessing this sacred region has proven difficult due to its location within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and parts of western Nepal. The pilgrimage, organised by the MEA, was suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently due to strained bilateral relations.
The resumption of direct flights will significantly ease travel between India and China. The MEA said in a statement, “The two sides agreed to take appropriate measures to further promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, including media and think-tank interactions. They agreed in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries; the relevant technical authorities on the two sides will meet and negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date.”
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Many Indian pilgrims are expected to welcome the resumption of the Yatra in the summer of 2025. Both China and Nepal have proposed the Kailash Mansarovar region as a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognising its global cultural and environmental importance.
The MEA also stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges, stating, “2025, being the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, should be used to redouble public diplomacy efforts to create better awareness of each other and restore mutual trust and confidence among the public.”
(Feature image credit: Raimond Klavins/Unsplash)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
