Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 flagged off in Delhi
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, on Thursday presided over the flagging-off ceremony of the inaugural batch of pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) 2026 at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan.
The first group of selected yatris will travel via the Nathu La route and is scheduled to commence its onward journey from Delhi on June 15, 2026. This marks the official beginning of the annual pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, a journey of immense spiritual significance for devotees of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions.
Addressing the pilgrims, Margherita congratulated the yatris on their selection and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey. He highlighted the Government’s continued efforts to enhance the yatra experience, particularly noting the new acclimatization centres recently inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These facilities are expected to significantly improve the comfort and safety of pilgrims as they prepare for high-altitude conditions.
“The Government of India, along with various Ministries, Departments, and the State Governments of Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh, has been working tirelessly to ensure that this sacred yatra becomes an enriching and memorable experience for all our citizens,” the Minister said.
Officials informed that the yatris have undergone comprehensive medical screening, orientation programmes, and training sessions to prepare them for the challenging terrain and high-altitude environment. The Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other agencies, has put in place robust logistical arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra holds deep religious importance, with pilgrims undertaking the arduous trek to seek blessings and spiritual enlightenment. The route via Nathu La in Sikkim is one of the two primary access points, offering relatively better infrastructure and shorter travel time compared to the Lipulekh pass route.
The 2026 season is expected to see thousands of devotees participating in the yatra, subject to weather conditions and necessary clearances from the Chinese side. Further batches will be flagged off in the coming weeks.
