India has advised citizens planning the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators to ensure they have all necessary travel documents before starting their journey. The Ministry of External Affairs received requests for help from Indians stranded in Nepal due to lacking entry permits and Chinese visas. The advisory warns against commencing travel without confirmed documentation, as this may lead to being stranded.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of verifying the credentials of private tour operators before finalizing travel arrangements. Currently, approximately 52 Indian citizens en route to Kailash Mansarovar are stuck in Kathmandu, seeking assistance to continue their pilgrimage safely. Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule has urged authorities to intervene and support the stranded pilgrims promptly.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a significant religious pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon faith. It attracts numerous devotees annually but requires multiple clearances and travel documents, including permits from Chinese authorities. The official Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for 2026 has already started, with the first batch crossing into China through the India-China border at Nathu La Pass on June 20.
