Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brazil.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the period, the leaders of the two countries discussed issues such as the resumption of pilgrimage in Manaswar and the opening of direct flights between China and India. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been closed for the past five years. Under such circumstances, after this conversation between the foreign ministers of the two countries, believers in India got big news.
The journey to Kailash Lake starts from the Lipulekh pass at an altitude of 17,000 feet. The journey begins in June and preparations begin 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.
Pilgrims circumambulate Mount Kailash
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.
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There are three main routes to pilgrimage to the Kailash Sanctuary:
Lipulekh Pass Route – This route starts from the Indian state of Uttarakhand and enters Tibet.
Nathu La Pass Route – This route starts from the Indian state of Sikkim and enters Tibet.
Shigatse Route – This route starts from Shigatse city in Tibet and goes to Kailash.
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 that must be followed when traveling in the region.
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 to travel to the Kailash Sanctuary, but the permit process can be complex and time-consuming.
Travel Terms and Conditions – The Chinese government sets travel terms and conditions, which may include number of passengers, trip duration and travel route.
economic and environmental aspects
Growth in tourism – China derives tourism-related revenue from the Kailash Sanctuary.
Environmental Concerns – Concerns have been raised about environmental damage during this trip, 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 pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is very important to Buddhism and the Chinese government is taking steps to protect it.
Cultural exchanges – This visit promoted cultural exchanges between China and India and established religious ties between the two countries.
Documents and health standards required for Mount Kailash Shrine
Passport – A valid passport is required to visit Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
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 have travel insurance to assist pilgrims in case of emergencies.
Why was the Mansarovar Yatra blocked? What impact will it have on India-China relations?
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, due to the deterioration of Sino-Indian relations, China has refused about 50,000 Indian pilgrims to visit the Kailash Shrine, and the Dragon Temple has stated that it will no longer issue new permits to Indians. In April last year, China tried to prevent Indians from visiting Shenhu Gate, causing trouble for the tourism industry. Relevant people are also quite disappointed.
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, both official routes of the Kailash pilgrimage have been closed to Indians. China has imposed many restrictions on this pilgrimage, making it difficult for Indians to participate in the pilgrimage. 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 the Indians, and therefore the Mansarovar pilgrimage almost ceased.
because permission is needed
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.
