Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash Temple. (File photo)
India and China have reached an agreement to restart pilgrimages to the Mount Kailash temple. After five years, the special representatives of the two countries met in Beijing for the 23rd time and reached agreement on 6 issues. The last meeting of the mechanism on border issues was held for the first time since December 2019 to discuss all issues of resumption of relations after the four-year-long standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Indian National Advisor Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting. Both special representatives said that maintaining peace in border areas is very important to improving bilateral relations. Agreement was reached on many issues including cross-border river and trade data sharing.
Good news for Shiva devotees
Special representatives of India and China discussed border dispute and agreed to resume pilgrimage to Mount Kailash temple. After this conversation, believers in India received great news. Earlier, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Issues such as restarting the Manaswor Yatra and launching direct flights between India and China were discussed. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been closed for the past five years.
What is the Mansarovar Pilgrimage?
The journey to Kailash Lake starts from the Lipulekh pass at an altitude of 17,000 feet. The journey used to start in June and preparations for it started in January. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is a very important sacred pilgrimage activity in Hinduism. This journey was to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, both of which are considered holy places.
Mount Kailash is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, while Lake Manasarovar is believed to have been created by Brahma. The lake is located on the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of approximately 4,590 meters.
During the pilgrimage to the Kailash Sanctuary, pilgrims circumambulate the Kailash and bathe in Manpan Yumtso Lake. The journey is difficult and pilgrims must be physically and mentally prepared.
Kailash Kailash is located on the Tibetan Plateau and is part of the Himalayas. The site is located in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, close to India’s northern border. Mount Kailash is located in western Tibet, with an altitude of about 6,638 meters. Manasarovar Lake is about 30 kilometers away from Mount Kailash.
Three main routes for pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain Temple
- Lipulech Pass Route: This route starts in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and enters Tibet.
- Nathula Pass Route: This route starts from the Indian state of Sikkim and enters Tibet.
- Route to Shigatse: This route starts from Shigatse City in Tibet and goes to the Kailash Temple.
- The journey is difficult and travelers must be prepared both physically and mentally.
What is the connection between the Kailash Sanctuary and China?
The Kailash Temple has a deep connection with China. Permission from China is required to perform the Kailash pilgrimage, as this pilgrimage is in Tibet. It is currently an autonomous region of China. Therefore, you must have a Chinese tourist visa to go there. The Chinese government has established rules and conditions for travel in the region, which must be followed. Here are some points explaining this connection:
political and administrative control
- China takes over Tibet: In 1951, China occupied Tibet and declared it an autonomous region.
- Travel Permit: The Chinese government grants permission for pilgrimages to Mount Kailash’s shrine, but the permitting process can be complex and time-consuming.
- Travel Terms and Conditions: The Chinese government sets travel terms and conditions, which may include the number of passengers, trip duration and travel route.
economic and environmental aspects
- Tourism growth: China derives tourism-related revenue from the Kailash Sanctuary.
- Environmental issues: Concerns have been raised about environmental damage during the visit, which the Chinese government is addressing.
- Infrastructure development: The Chinese government has taken steps to develop tourism infrastructure, such as building roads and accommodation facilities.
cultural and religious aspects
- Importance of Buddhism: The Kailash Shrine is very important to Buddhism and the Chinese government is taking steps to protect it.
- Cultural exchange: This visit promoted cultural exchanges between China and India and established religious ties between the two countries.
Documentation and health standards required for travel
- passport: Pilgrimage to the Kailash Sanctuary requires a valid passport.
- visa: Pilgrims must obtain a Tibet visa.
- Health certificate: Pilgrims must submit a health certificate confirming their physical and mental condition.
- Travel insurance: It is compulsory for Kailash Sanctuary to take out travel insurance to assist pilgrims in case of emergencies.
Why was the Mansarovar Yatra blocked?
Due to the Galwan violence and the coronavirus pandemic, direct flights between India and China, as well as pilgrimages to Mount Kailash, have been halted. In the past, China has refused to allow around 50,000 Indian pilgrims to make pilgrimages to Mount Kailash. Dragon has said it will no longer issue new licenses to Indians as relations between India and China sour. In April last year, Beijing opened the Hilsa border port, the entrance to the sacred mountains and sacred lakes. People involved in the tourism industry are also quite disappointed with the way China has tried to prevent Indians from traveling this year.
China has been trying to prevent Indians from visiting the Kailash temple due to tensions along the Line of Actual Control. China has reopened some border crossings, allowing Nepali people to trade and move, but has specifically imposed restrictions on Indian pilgrims. The ban dashed hopes of thousands of Indians visiting the revered pilgrimage site.
Since 2020, the two official routes to the Kailash Shrine remain closed to Indians. China has put a lot of restrictions on this trip, making it difficult for Indians to take this trip. China has even increased the fees for temples in Mount Kailash. Additionally, China has very strict travel regulations. That is, such a web was woven against Indians, so the Mansarovar pilgrimage almost stopped.
political and administrative control
The Chinese government exercises political and administrative control over the Tibetan region, so travel requires permission. The Chinese government is responsible for the safety and protection of travelers and therefore requires permission. In order to protect Tibet’s environment, permission from the Chinese government is also required. License terms usually range from 3 months to 6 months. This journey is usually completed in 14 to 21 days.
