750 Yatris Selected for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025 in June, Says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially announced the commencement of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025, scheduled to begin in June and continue through August. The selection of Yatris was carried out through a computerized draw conducted by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Key Highlights

• The selection of 750 people through the lottery system, among 5,561 applicants, including 4,024 males and 1,537 females.
• The Yatra will be conducted via two routes:
  • Lipulekh route: 5 batches of 50 Yatris each, consisting of 250 pilgrims 
  • Nathula route: 10 batches of 50 Yatris each, counting 500 pilgrims in total 
  • Both routes are now fully motorable, significantly reducing the need for extensive trekking and making the pilgrimage more accessible to people of varied fitness levels.
• The Chinese representative to the Indian Embassy, Yu Jing, congratulated the Indians for the selection of the names on a tweet via X.

News from the Archive

According to an official MEA statement, the draw was based on a fair, computer-generated, gender-balanced random selection process, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in pilgrim selection. With the selected 750 Yatris, 2 liaison officers (LOs) per batch have been posted to undertake the sacred journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. The yatris will have to undergo additional medical examination and document verification before starting their yatra.

For those unable to secure a spot, there is an alternative option, the Kailash Mansarovar Aerial Darshan that offers a hassle-free experience of Lord Shiva and Kailash’s darshan without any age limit, visa permit, etc.

As per a report in the Indian Express, this announcement comes amidst geopolitical sensitivities, as India recently identified China as a key supplier of military equipments to Pakistan, a revelation that initially raised concerns among yatris. However, official assurances and diplomatic gestures have since reinstated confidence.

China also responded positively to India’s announcement of the Kailash Yatra. On Thursday, Yu Jing, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, congratulated the selected yatris on X, stating, “Warm congratulations to 750 Indian friends who have been selected to undertake this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra! Hope they will not only get spiritually enriched but also enjoy hospitality of Chinese people.”

Pilgrims have been informed of their selection through SMS and email, and can verify their status via the official Yatra portal https://kmy.gov.in or by contacting the helpline at 011-23088133.

This year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra marks a significant step towards normalizing India-China relations, which have been strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. The revival is viewed as a hopeful gesture toward rebuilding diplomatic trust between the two nations.