More than 4,000 applications were received in the period between March 15 and April 2 from those wishing to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra slated to start this year on June 12. Through on-line and other media a total of 4,400 applications have been received for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this time. No more applications will be accepted for those wanting to undertake this pilgrimage now. It is being stated that after the Uttar Pradesh government head by its chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 1 lakh for those undertaking the pilgrimage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had extended the date for applications from March 15 to April 2. The number of pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh can see a rise this time. These applications will be put in a lucky draw on April 7 to select the pilgrims for this yatra. According to official sources in the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), more than 4,000 applications have been received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this year from people wanting to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from lipulekh pass in Kumaon and Nathula pass in Sikkim. The KMVN organised yatra from the lipulekh pass will take 1,018 pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake while 400 pilgrims will be sent through the Nathula pass in Sikkim.
The applicants chosen through lucky draw will have to undergo a medical examination in Delhi before being given the permission to undertake the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. Sources State that the number of applications has been the highest this time for the yatra which was resumed in 1980. This year, the last date for applications was March 15 and by that time the Ministry had reeived 2,400 applications. After the Uttar Pradesh Government announced Rs 1 lakh for each pilgrim from the State undertaking this yatra, the last date for submission of applications was extended to April 2. During the extended period, more than 1,500 applications were received by the Ministry. It is being believed that most of these applications have been received from residents of Uttar Pradesh. The applicants chosen through lucky draw will undergo medical examination at the heart institute in Delhi on June 10 and at the ITBP hospital in Delhi on June 11. After that the pilgrims going through Kumaon will start arriving in batches at Kathgodam from June 12. A total of 18 batches of pilgrims will be taken on the yatra from June 12 to September. Each group will consist of 60 pilgrims with the final health examination of the pilgrims slated to be conducted at the Gunji halt on the pilgrimage route. Those who fail to pass the health test here will be sent back.