Kailash Mansaroar Yatra is any devout Hindu’s dream. However due to sporadic problems in international relations between India and China in the past there were always very limited openings and a lot of running around in circles that the Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims had to do. However the winds of change are blowing and some policy decisions on China front are showing the ray of optimism for the Mansarovar and Kailash Yatra.
Last few years have seen growth in traffic in this area. 14,000 pilgrims and tourists from India visited Tibet last year. A small number went through Indian Government and the rest through private operators via Nepal route. China is now proposing to build a wide range of infrastructure to increase the flow of Indian pilgrims visiting Mansarovar in Tibet and this number is expected to rise even more, once the planned facilities are created. China has made plans to improve traditional rest places, situated in Kailash area, some of which are viewed by pilgrims as old Hindu temples. The government also plans to upgrade some of existing guest-houses into hotels and improve road and transportation facilities in both the Kailash and Mansarovar areas.
However the easing of visa and permit controls to allow more visitors to Mansarovar and extend their journey to other Tibetan areas like Lhasa is a much awaited move which could facilitate Indians to explore a bit more of the ‘Roof of the World’ as at present, Indian visitors are only allowed to visit Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.
I remember very vividly a visit to Kailash that I made way back in 2002. Even then the infrastructure China was creating in the area was very impressive even though it seemed to be conceived for strategic rather than touristic reasons. Nevertheless, the area is any tourists dream for reasons spiritual, mythological, adventurous, or even a bit of bravado of the kind- ‘been there, seen that’. Besides the obvious attraction of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, the area has other attractions as very distinct wildlife, thermal springs, ancient attractions such as Dogra general Zoravar Singh’s final resting place, historic border trading posts such as Taklakot with their very distinct culture, mythological temples such as ‘Khojarnath’ and ancient Buddhist monasteries, the atmosphere of which with rhythmic chanting could take your breath away.
Whatever the reason, a journey to Kailash changes you for the life in many mysterious ways. You somehow feel yourselves to be within touching distance of the God-‘A la Sistine Chapel’. Therefore may God give more strength to Chinese policies of creating more infrastructure and welcoming more people in the area.
The Other Home can help pilgrims who are looking to visit Mount Kailash from Nepal side or want to make a helicopter journey to the holy place.
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