After a five-year break, Sikkim is ready to welcome pilgrims for the celebrated Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a journey revered by devotees of Lord Shiva. The first group of yatris will arrive in Gangtok on June 15, 2025, marking the official start of this year’s pilgrimage.
C.S. Rao, Additional Chief Secretary of Sikkim’s Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, shared the details of the preparations with Akashvani News.
“The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will commence from Gangtok and proceed to Nathula, before crossing into Chinese territory to reach Kailash and Mansarovar,” he said. Acclimatisation centres have been set up between Gangtok and Nathu La, and the entire journey is expected to take around 20–21 days.
The first batch of pilgrims will gather in Delhi on June 11, 2025, for medical checks and to obtain essential permits before beginning their journey. The yatra will be conducted in ten batches of 48 pilgrims each, with support from liaison officers, cooks, and staff.
Rao highlighted the comprehensive arrangements in place,“We have made elaborate arrangements for the yatris, including a pre-yatra program in Gangtok with yoga, exercise, and meditation sessions. Briefings by the Tourism Department and Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation will help familiarise yatris with the route and itinerary.”
Accommodation, food, medical facilities, and emergency services have been organised at various points along the route. The state government is working closely with army authorities and ITBP to ensure smooth logistics and has set up hotlines to keep families informed.
Rao outlined the involvement of multiple government departments—Health, Police, Power, PHE, and Telecom—in supporting the yatra. He also noted Sikkim’s unique appeal, “Sikkim’s distinct geography and climate make it an ideal destination for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Despite its modest size, spanning 7096 square kilometers, Sikkim boasts six vegetation types and an altitude range from 300 meters to 8586 meters, culminating in Mt. Kanchenjunga. Notably, within a mere 49-kilometer stretch from Gangtok to Nathula, yatris can experience 3–4 distinct vegetation types.”
Rao advised pilgrims to bring warm clothing and regular medicines, while assuring that the Sikkim government is fully committed to their safety and well-being. “The Sikkim government has pledged 100% wholehearted support for the yatris, ensuring their safety and well-being,” he affirmed.
