Given the overwhelming response to the Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu-la, the Government plans to increase permission to the number of yatris from 250 to 350 this year. The Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu-la in Sikkim was opened last year in which five batches of 50 pilgrims in each was allowed.
“However, in view of the response by pilgrims and facilities provided by the Chinese Government on their side, it has been decided to increase the number of batches to seven which will add another 100 yatris,” said Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Joint Secretray (East Asia) in Ministry of External Affairs. He hoped that once this entire stretch becomes fully motorable, the number of yatris can be enhanced substantially. The pilgrims till 2014 travelled to Mansoravar in Tibet through lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand).
Speaking at a function to mark first anniversary of the new Nathu-la route, Chinese Ambassador to India le Yucheng said his Government is adding more facilities on the route for the Indian pilgrims. The envoy was the first Chinese passport holder to cross over through Nathu-la when he travelled with the first batch of yatris last year. “I felt my mind was purified. This new route is not only road of pilgrimage but road of friendship and cooperation. Since last year a lot of work has been done in the area. We are adding more hotels and facilities on the route for the benefit of Indian travelers,” the ambassador said.
“The new Yatra route through Nathu-la Pass has been operated for one year, in which I can sense that between our two peoples communication is being enhanced and perception gap being narrowed,” he added.
The Government of Tibet Autonomous Region is now making several souvenirs, including water from the lake, with the mark of Kailash Mansarovar.