Nathu La in Sikkim and Lipulekh La in Uttarakhand are now temporary immigration posts for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starting June 20. The first batch of 44 pilgrims has arrived in Sikkim.
India-Nepal border tensions escalate as Kathmandu formally objects to India's resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass, claimed by Nepal. India dismissed Nepal's territorial claims as unjustified and not based on historical facts. Nepal cites the 1816 Sugauli Treaty to assert that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of its territory. Both nations remain committed to resolving the dispute through diplomatic means.
Nepal has formally objected to India and China's plans for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass, asserting the region is part of its territory. India has rejected the claim, stating the route has been in use since 1954 and remains a long-standing practice.
Nepal has objected to India and China's plan for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass, asserting the territory belongs to Nepal based on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli. India rejected the claim, stating the route has been used for decades and Nepal's claims are unjustified, but remains open to dialogue.
The Ministry of External Affairs has opened registration for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026, with pilgrims able to apply online till May 19. The pilgrimage will run from June to August via two routes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand (10 batches, Rs 2.09 lakh) and Nathu La in Sikkim (10 batches, Rs 3.31 lakh). Each batch comprises 50 pilgrims, totaling 1,000 pilgrims. Eligibility requires Indian citizenship, valid passport till September 2026, age 18-70, and BMI of 25 or less.
China will welcome 1,000 Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026, with the pilgrimage scheduled from June to August through two routes via Uttarakhand and Sikkim. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that 10 batches of 50 yatris each will travel through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and another 10 batches through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. Applications are open until May 19, 2026, with selection through a computerized random process.
