48 Pilgrims Cross 17,500-Foot Lipulekh Pass, Enter Tibet for Kailash Yatra

The first batch of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra successfully entered Tibet on Friday morning after crossing the 17,500-foot Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, marking a key milestone in the annual pilgrimage.

Officials of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) , the nodal agency overseeing the yatra, said the 48-member batch crossed the high-altitude pass at 9:05 am . The group also included one doctor and four support staff , ensuring medical assistance and logistical support during the journey.

According to Dhan Singh Bisht , officer-in-charge of the KMVN's Dharchula base camp, the first group had originally comprised 49 pilgrims . However, one pilgrim had to return from the Gunji camp due to personal reasons before the group proceeded towards Tibet.

The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra , regarded as one of Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimages, takes devotees to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. The route through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand is one of the traditional paths used by Indian pilgrims and involves trekking through challenging Himalayan terrain at high altitude.

Meanwhile, the second batch of 47 pilgrims experienced a delay after a landslide at Lakhanpur , beyond Dharchula, disrupted their onward journey. Officials said the group was expected to reach Gunji by Friday evening, halt there overnight, and continue towards Lipulekh Pass on Saturday.

Authorities said the pilgrimage is progressing as planned, with logistical and medical support in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims along the demanding mountain route.