Bahraich: For the first time in six years, the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed, rekindling spiritual fervour among devotees across the country and abroad. A group of 45 pilgrims, including devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and a Malaysian national of Indian origin, were ceremoniously flagged off on Thursday from Bliss Resort in Bahraich. The group will travel via Nepalgunj en route to Tibet (China).
The journey began with traditional rituals and prayers. Bliss Resort proprietor Manish Malhotra felicitated the pilgrims with garlands and tilak, describing the moment as a "rare spiritual privilege." “After years, this pious opportunity has returned to our resort. It is not just an event but a sacred service for us,” he said.
Mukesh Bansal, the tour coordinator from Meerut, said the group comprises devotees from various districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. One of the pilgrims, Seema Grover, has travelled from Malaysia to join the yatra. The pilgrims had travelled from Meerut by train and reached Bahraich via Lucknow.
From Nepalgunj, the group will fly to Simikot and then take a helicopter to Hilsa. After crossing a footbridge into Tibet, they will spend two days acclimatizing to the high altitude before reaching the revered Mansarovar Lake on June 29. There, they will spend three days offering prayers, performing Rudrabhishek, and meditating.
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The pilgrimage includes the demanding yet spiritually enriching 52-kilometre circumambulation (parikrama) of Mount Kailash, either on foot or on horseback. Pilgrims will also visit Yam Dwar, a symbolic gateway to the realm of the divine.
Mansarovar Lake is considered the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu, believed to be his Kshirsagar. According to belief, divine beings descend to the lake between 3 and 4 a.m., and past pilgrims have reported seeing star-like orbs or lights touching the waters at dawn.
Tour operator Anshul Bansal stated that approximately 22,000 pilgrims are expected to undertake the yatra this year. The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is providing a financial grant of ₹1 lakh to each pilgrim from the state.
Among the group is BJP councillor Bhupendra Kumar from Haridwar’s Kankhal, who said, “After six long years, we Shiv devotees are filled with joy as we set out for this holy journey to Kailash Mansarovar.”
Malaysian pilgrim Seema Grover called the experience “the most sacred moment of her life,” expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity.
The management of Bliss Resort extended best wishes for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey, calling it “a proud moment of religious service.”
