The Mansarovar 

Part II

Preparing for the Yatra

The Kailash–Mansarovar (KM) yatra is the holiest of all the pilgrimages in the Himalayas. But it is also the most difficult, and time consuming yatra. A total commitment with tan, man, and dhan (body, mind and wealth) is required for the successful completion of the yatra.

Seekers continued to be lured to this sacred land until 1962 when the Sino-Indian hostilities brought an end to it. Till then, Indians did not require passports to go across to Western Tibet for pilgrimage. Happily, in 1981, the two governments agreed to recommence the yatra and every year, weekly batches of average 35 yatris are sent to KM in June–September.

The Application

The advertisement is released by the Under Secretary (China), Ministry of External Affairs, South Block, New Delhi 110 011 in March in all major newspapers and through the electronic media. Applications are received by the office on first-come-first-served basis, last date being April 30.

The Government deputes one Liaison Officer (LO) at its cost with every batch to look after the welfare of the yatris, while the UP Government and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) provide medical, security and communication assistance on the Indian side.

Physical fitness is a necessity to cope with the approxi-mately 300 km trekking, at high altitudes. At such altitudes, it is common to have breathing difficulties. People with respiratory, high blood pressure or heart difficulties, are advised not to undertake this pilgrimage. The ponies and yaks can help with trekking on each tracks and gentle slopes.

On steep slopes, the animal cannot balance the human load irrespective of whether it is ascent or descent. Besides, the risk of falling from the animal forbids one from riding them on steep slopes.

© "Tattvaloka" (May, 2000) published by Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Education Trust, Abhinav Centre, # 4 (Old # 19), Co-operative Colony, Chennai 600 018. Website: www.tattvaloka.com. Reprinted with permission. Part I of this article appeared in Splendour, January, 2006 issue.

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