Fri Jul 04 19:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
After a four-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and border tensions, the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage to a sacred site in Tibet, has resumed for Indian pilgrims in 2025. The first batch of pilgrims, organized by both Indian and Chinese ministries, completed the journey, which involves trekking at high altitudes around Mount Kailash and visiting Manasarovar Lake. Pilgrims shared their experiences of spiritual fulfillment, while officials from both countries worked to facilitate the yatra. Despite some restrictions and infrastructure challenges, the resumption of the yatra is seen as a positive step in normalizing relations between India and China and a vital economic boon for local Tibetan communities. However, concerns remain about the impact of climate change on the region.
**News Article:**
**Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra Resumes After Four-Year Suspension, Signaling Thawing India-China Relations**
**Gangtok, Sikkim – July 5, 2025:** The Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra, a revered pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers, has resumed after a four-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control between India and China. The first group of Indian pilgrims since 2019 recently completed the arduous journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, a joint effort between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The yatra, a physically demanding trek at altitudes averaging 15,000 feet, holds immense spiritual significance. Damini Pandya, a 68-year-old retired officer, described the “cosmic energy” felt at Lord Shiva’s abode after completing a vow of silence during the journey. Arpit Rai, a 19-year-old pilgrim, said that the trip was unforgettable, “Shivji (Lord Shiva) wanted us to visit together for the first time”
The resumption of the yatra is seen as a positive sign in the normalization of relations between Delhi and Beijing, following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. Suman Lata, a retired school teacher from Delhi and one of the 13 women pilgrims, noted the hospitality of both governments, stating, “We have no link with politics, so we don’t think about such things.”
Officials on both sides faced challenges in preparing for the yatra’s return, including reviving immigration posts, providing rest stops, oxygen banks, and medical facilities. The yatra is also a crucial source of income for local Tibetan communities. However, concerns were raised about the environmental impact, with local guides acknowledging the effects of rising temperatures.
While most pilgrims praised the arrangements, some noted limitations, including restrictions on worship practices and sanitation facilities. Wing Commander Sadanand Jakhare, (Ret.) described the sanitation facilities as “comparable to public toilets in India”
Despite the challenges, many pilgrims, like Raj and Vinod Yadav, who have undertaken the yatra multiple times, find the experience deeply rewarding. “There is something that keeps drawing me to Kailash Manasarovar,” said Raj Yadav. She said that this was her 25th visit to Kailash Manasarovar, while her husband Vinod had traveled for the fifth time.
With the first batch successfully completed, the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra is set to continue through August, with carefully selected pilgrims embarking on this transformative journey amidst the stunning landscapes of the Tibetan plateau. The Indian Ministry of Culture has also submitted an application to UNESCO for ‘Sacred Mountain Landscape and Heritage Routes’, requesting world heritage status for Kailash Manasarovar-linked areas on the Indian side, to protect the ecosystem around the holy sites better.
First Piper 