Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang in Brazil.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Meanwhile, the two leaders discussed issues like resuming the Mansoor Yatra and starting direct flights between India and China. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been closed for the past five years. In such a situation, after this conversation between the two foreign ministers, the devotees of India have got a big news.
The journey to Kailash Mansarovar starts from Lipulekh Pass which is 17 thousand feet above the sea level. This journey starts in the month of June while its preparation starts from January itself. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage that is very important to the Hindu religion. The trip involves visiting Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, both of which are considered sacred. Mount Kailash is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, while Lake Manasarovar was created by Lord Brahma. The lake is located on the high plateau of Tibet and has an altitude of about 4,590 meters.
Pilgrims circumambulate Mount Kailash.
During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, pilgrims circumambulate Mount Kailash and bathe in the Mansarovar Lake. This journey is very difficult and pilgrims have to be physically and mentally prepared for it. Kailash Mansarovar is located on the high plateau of Tibet, which is part of the Himalayan mountain range. The site falls in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, which is close to India’s northern border. Mount Kailash is located in the western part of Tibet with a height of about 6,638 meters. Manasarovar Lake is located about 30 km from Mount Kailash.
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The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has three main routes:
Lipulekh Pass Route – This route starts from the Indian state of Uttarakhand and enters Tibet.
Nathu La Pass Route- This route starts from the Indian state of Sikkim and enters Tibet.
Shagatse Route- This route starts from Shagatse in Tibet and goes to Kailash Mansarovar.
This journey is very difficult and travelers have to be physically and mentally prepared for it.
What is the connection between Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and China?
There is a close connection between the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and China. Chinese permission is required while doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as the Yatra is located in Tibet. Which is currently an autonomous region of China.. So one has to get a Chinese tourist visa to go there.. The Chinese government has set rules and regulations for traveling in this area which must be followed.
Here are some key points that explain this relationship:
Political and administrative control
Chinese Occupation of Tibet – In 1951, China annexed Tibet and declared it an autonomous region.
Travel Permits – The Chinese government grants permission for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but the permission process can be complicated and time-consuming.
Travel Terms and Conditions – The Chinese government sets travel terms and conditions, which may include the number of passengers, duration of travel, and route of travel.
Economic and environmental aspects
Tourism development- China gets tourism related income from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Environmental Concerns – There are concerns about environmental damage during travel, which is being addressed by the Chinese government.
Infrastructure development – The Chinese government has taken steps to develop infrastructure for travel, such as road construction and accommodation facilities.
Cultural and religious aspects
Buddhist Significance- The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is very important to Buddhism, and the Chinese government is taking steps to protect it.
Cultural Exchange – The visit leads to cultural exchange between China and India, which builds religious ties between the two countries.
Documents and Health Standards Required for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Passport- A valid passport is required for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Visa – Pilgrims need to obtain a Tibet visa.
Health Certificate- Pilgrims have to produce a health certificate attesting to their physical and mental condition.
Travel Insurance – Travel insurance is essential for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra which provides assistance to the pilgrims in case of emergencies.
Why was the Mansarovar Yatra stopped? What was the effect on the relations between India and China?
Direct flights between India and China and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra were suspended due to Galvan violence and the Corona epidemic. In the past, China had denied permission to about 50,000 Indian pilgrims to perform the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra due to strained relations between India and China. The way China tried to stop Indians from entering Kailash Mansarovar in April last year has troubled the tourism industry. The people involved were also quite disappointed.
China has been trying to prevent Indians from going on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because of the tension on the LAC. China reopened some border crossings, allowing trade and movement of Nepalese people, but imposed restrictions on Indian visitors in particular. The ban dashed the hopes of thousands of Indians to visit the highly revered pilgrimage site.
Both official routes of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are closed to Indians since 2020, China has imposed several restrictions on the Yatra, making it difficult for Indians to perform the Yatra. China has also increased the fees for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. In addition, China has made very strict rules for travel. That is, such a trap was laid against the Indians that almost stopped the Manasarovar Yatra.
Because of the permission requirement
The Chinese government exercises political and administrative control over Tibetan territory, so travel requires permission. The Chinese government is responsible for the safety and security of travelers, so obtaining permission is also important. The permission of the Chinese government is also necessary to protect the Tibetan environment. The permit period is usually 3 months to 6 months. The journey is usually completed in 14 to 21 days.
