Indirapuram, UP | June 15 – Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, BJP MP Atul Garg, and former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Sunday flagged off the first group of 50 pilgrims for the revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Indirapuram.
Speaking at the event, Minister Singh announced that upon return, each native of Uttar Pradesh in this batch would receive a ₹1 lakh grant directly in their bank accounts. “This is a proud and spiritual moment. The state government, under CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, is committed to promoting religious tourism,” he said.
Acharya Pramod Krishnam credited the occasion to “Sanatan values flourishing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath,” calling it a historic spiritual revival.
Known for its religious and cultural importance to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed this year after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and pending diplomatic arrangements with China. The Indian government had raised the matter multiple times with the Chinese side during top-level meetings, including recent G20 engagements.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 750 pilgrims have been selected this year out of 5,561 applicants. They will travel in 15 batches—5 via Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and 10 via Nathu La in Sikkim. Both routes are now motorable, requiring minimal trekking.
Lake Manasarovar, located at an altitude of 4,590 metres, is considered one of the highest freshwater lakes globally and holds immense religious significance. Pilgrims believe that drinking its water absolves one of sins from a hundred lifetimes.
Only Indian citizens aged 18 to 70 with valid passports are eligible for the Yatra, and selections are made via a computer-based, gender-balanced lottery.
