External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual yatra to Kailash Mansarovar in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.
Speaking on the occasion, she said elaborate arrangements including a tracking system of pilgrims is being put in place to ensure well-being of all those visiting the sacred place. The first batch is undertaking the pilgrimage through the existing route of <g data-gr-id="26">Lipulekh</g> Pass in Uttarakhand.
Pilgrimage to the famous religious place will also be undertaken through a second route via Nathu La, which was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit here last September.
"I am happy our Prime Minister has successfully taken forward the preliminary talks I had with the Chinese Foreign Minister on opening a second route for the pilgrimage. He had taken up the issue with Chinese President and Prime Minister," Swaraj said on opening of the route through Nathu La.
A total of 18 batches, each comprising around 60 pilgrims, will visit Kailash Mansoravar through the existing route while five batches having 50 pilgrims each will visit it through the second route.
The second route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La, 4,000 metres above sea level, will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage, in addition to the existing route. The <g data-gr-id="22">Lipulekh</g> Pass route was badly damaged in the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013.