Shimla, July 6 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has requested the Central government to consider opening the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) through the Shipki-La route in the Kinnaur district, citing its historical, cultural, and logistical advantages.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sukhu highlighted Shipki-La’s significance as a historic Indo-Tibetan trade route and a spiritual corridor that predates modern geopolitical boundaries.
“This region has long served not only as a key trade route but also as a cultural artery for Tibetan Buddhism and ancient pilgrimage paths,” the chief minister wrote. “It reflects India’s enduring civilizational ties with Kailash and Mansarovar.”
Sukhu noted that the Kinnaur region, much like Spiti, lies in a rain shadow zone and experiences minimal monsoon disruptions. This, he said, makes the Shipki-La corridor more accessible for most of the year compared to existing routes.
“The path from Shipki-La via Gartok to Darchen and Mansarovar is also shorter on the Tibetan side, which would reduce travel time and enhance pilgrim comfort,” the CM added.
The proposed route, he said, is well-supported by existing road infrastructure, with connectivity already available from Rampur to Pooh and Shipki-La. With targeted investment in base camps and support infrastructure, Sukhu believes the route can be integrated seamlessly into the KMY framework.
“The Shipki-La corridor offers a stable and unambiguous passage, making it a strong candidate for a long-term, dependable pilgrimage route and a potential avenue for enhanced cross-border connectivity,” he emphasized.
Extending full support to the Centre, the Himachal CM assured that the state government would provide all logistical and administrative coordination necessary if the route is opened.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimages, has traditionally been conducted via routes in Uttarakhand and Sikkim. However, both regions often face heavy monsoon-related challenges. Sukhu’s pitch is seen as an effort to provide a safer, culturally rooted, and climatically resilient alternative.
The proposal is now under consideration by the Centre. If approved, the route via Shipki-La could offer a new chapter in the ancient journey to the sacred peaks of Mount Kailash and the holy waters of Lake Mansarovar.
