First batch of pilot project to watch Mount Kailash from Indian territory on Oct 2  

First batch of pilot project to watch Mount Kailash from Indian territory on Oct 2

B.D.Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, Oct 01

The first ever ‘Kailash Darshan yatra’ from old Lipulekh pass on Indo-China border, inside Indian territory in Pithoragarh district will begin from October 2. The five pilgrims of the first batch of “heli yatra” have reached pithoragarh today.

“The tourists for the pilot project will be taken to Gunji camp from Nainital to Naini-Saini airport at Pithoragarh by helicopters of Heritage aviation company and thereafter they will trek to old Lipulekh pass (17500feet) to view sacred peak of Mount Kailash in Tibet from the view point made at old Lipulekh pass in Indian territory,” said Kriti Chandra Arya, District Tourist Officer in Pithoragarh. The project also includes pilgrimage to ‘Adi Kailash’ and ‘OM Parvat’.

“The pilot project of 15 pilgrims in each batch will be taken on October 2, 4, 7 and 10  this year. After that a decision to make it regular will be taken by the tourism department on the results of pilot project,” said the tourist officer.

The Nodal agency for the project is Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), a state government tourism corporation.” We have booked  home stay facility at Gunji for the pilgrimsand all the arrangements of loading, boarding and travel managements have been arranged by (KMVN),” said Dhan Singh, incharge of KMVN base camp at Dharchula.

Kailash Darshan yatra from Indian territory was planned by Government of India after Chinese authorities ceased to grant permission to Indian pilgrims to go to Kailash Mansarowar after 2019.