14 Jun Sacred Journey Begins: Pabitra Margherita Launches Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic Sacred Journey Begins: Pabitra Margherita Launches Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025
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GS-1- Culture and History- Sacred Journey Begins: Pabitra Margherita Launches Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025
FOR PRELIMS
What is the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra? Why is it important for people?
FOR MAINS
Why is the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra important for India-China relations?
Why in the News?
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita presided over an event to flag off the first batch of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, 2025, in New Delhi today. The Minister felicitated the Yatris on their selection and wished them a safe and fulfilling Yatra. In his remarks, the Minister recognised the role of various Ministries and Departments, such as the Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the state governments of Delhi, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, and the National Informatics Centre. He appreciated the Chinese side for its cooperation in the resumption of the Yatra.
What is Yatra?
Yatra is a Sanskrit word meaning journey or pilgrimage, especially to a sacred place. In the Indian cultural and religious context, a yatra refers to a spiritual journey undertaken by devotees to visit holy shrines, temples, or natural sites considered divine. Such pilgrimages are often performed with the intent of seeking blessings, penance, or spiritual enlightenment. Yatras can be individual or group-based and may involve physical challenges such as trekking or long-distance travel. Notable examples include the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, Amarnath Yatra, and Char Dham Yatra.
Significance of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
1. Spiritual Importance: Mount Kailash is revered as the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, making the Yatra a sacred journey for spiritual awakening and inner peace.
2. Religious Harmony: The site is sacred not only to Hindus, but also to Buddhists, Jains, and followers of Bon, symbolizing religious unity and interfaith reverence.
3. Cultural Heritage: The Yatra preserves centuries-old traditions and rituals, reflecting India’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy.
4. Symbol of Devotion and Endurance: The challenging journey through high-altitude terrain tests the devotees’ physical strength and mental resilience, reinforcing their faith.
5. Pilgrimage Diplomacy: The Yatra involves bilateral cooperation between India and China, promoting diplomatic ties and peaceful engagement.
6. Scenic and Natural Beauty: Located in the Trans-Himalayan region, the journey offers breathtaking views of snow-clad mountains, lakes, and serene landscapes, enriching the experience.
7. Economic Opportunities: The Yatra boosts local economies in regions like Uttarakhand and Sikkim through tourism, transportation, and hospitality services.
8. Cultural Exchange and Unity: Bringing together pilgrims from across India and abroad, the Yatra fosters national integration and cultural exchange among diverse communities.
Religion-related term
1. Pilgrimage (Yatra): A religious journey to a sacred place for worship, penance, or blessings (e.g., Kailash Yatra, Char Dham Yatra).
2. Dharma: A core concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism; refers to moral duty, righteousness, and ethical living.
3. Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara); the ultimate goal in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
4. Mantra: Sacred sounds, syllables, or phrases repeated during prayers or meditation for spiritual focus and energy.
5. Puja: A ritual offering and act of worship to deities, typically involving prayers, incense, flowers, and food.
6. Shraddha: A Hindu ritual performed in memory of ancestors, showing reverence and seeking their blessings.
7. Bhakti: Devotion or loving worship toward a personal god, forming a key aspect of many Indian religious traditions.
8. Karma: The principle of cause and effect, where a person’s actions influence future outcomes or rebirths.
9. Aarti: A devotional song and ritual involving the waving of lamps before a deity or sacred object.
10. Satsang: A gathering of spiritual seekers for collective prayer, discussion, or listening to a guru’s teachings.
Government initiates the promotion of such a pilgrimage
1. Organised Pilgrimages through MEA: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organizes the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra annually, ensuring official support, registration, medical care, and logistics for yatris.
2. Improved Infrastructure: Development of roads, base camps, and facilities along pilgrimage routes such as Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim) to ensure safety, accessibility, and comfort.
3. Technology-Driven Selection: A transparent, computer-based random selection process is used to ensure fairness, gender balance, and efficiency in yatri selection.
4. Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Ministries like Defence, Home Affairs, Health, and Tourism, along with ITBP and state governments, work in tandem for smooth Yatra execution.
5. Diplomatic Engagements: India engages in bilateral talks with China to facilitate the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, strengthening cultural diplomacy and international cooperation.
6. Promoting Religious Tourism under PRASHAD Scheme: The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme supports development of pilgrimage sites across India with modern amenities and spiritual ambiance.
7. Medical and Safety Facilities: The government ensures pre-departure medical check-ups, deployment of medical teams, and availability of emergency services at high-altitude pilgrimage sites.
8. Financial and Logistical Support: Government provides subsidies or grants in select yatras (state-sponsored), and facilitates transport, accommodation, and food for pilgrims.
9. Digital Promotion and Registration: Official websites, online portals, and awareness campaigns promote pilgrimages, ensure smooth e-registration, and disseminate critical information to yatris.
Challenges in Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
1. High Altitude and Harsh Terrain: The Yatra passes through rugged Himalayan terrain at elevations above 15,000 ft, posing risks of altitude sickness, fatigue, and breathing issues.
2. Weather Extremes: Sudden changes in weather, including snowfall, landslides, and sub-zero temperatures, can disrupt travel and endanger yatris.
3. Health and Medical Risks: The trek requires significant physical fitness. Lack of acclimatization, poor medical preparedness, and limited healthcare facilities pose serious health risks.
4. Limited Connectivity: Remote locations have poor mobile and internet networks, affecting communication and coordination, especially in emergencies.
5. Logistical Difficulties: Managing transport, food, accommodation, and sanitation in remote high-altitude areas remains a logistical challenge despite motorable routes.
6. Border Sensitivities: The Yatra involves travel close to the India-China border, making it sensitive to geopolitical tensions, which led to its suspension between 2020–2023.
7. Diplomatic Dependencies: The resumption and continuity of the Yatra rely heavily on bilateral cooperation with China, which may be affected by changing diplomatic relations.
8. Environmental Concerns: Increasing footfall may disturb the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, raising concerns over waste management and ecological sustainability.
9. Limited Capacity and High Demand: Due to the Yatra’s physical and diplomatic constraints, only a limited number of pilgrims are selected annually, despite high demand.
Way forward
1. Strengthening Infrastructure: Accelerate development of all-weather roads, shelters, medical posts, and sanitation facilities along the Lipulekh and Nathu La routes to improve comfort and safety.
2. Medical Preparedness & Screening: Enhance pre-departure health screenings, altitude acclimatization camps, and deploy mobile health units with oxygen support and emergency care on the route.
3. Better Communication Networks: Invest in satellite-based communication systems to ensure reliable connectivity in remote, high-altitude areas for coordination and emergency response.
4. Eco-Friendly Measures: Introduce strict waste management protocols, eco-tourism guidelines, and awareness among yatris to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
5. Enhanced Diplomatic Engagement: Maintain consistent dialogue with China for the smooth continuation of the Yatra and explore possibilities for additional routes or relaxed restrictions.
6. Use of Technology for Management: Expand the use of GIS, drone surveillance, weather alerts, and mobile apps for real-time tracking, information dissemination, and yatri safety.
7. Training and Capacity Building: Train local guides, liaison officers, and support staff in disaster preparedness, first aid, and high-altitude survival skills to assist pilgrims efficiently.
8. Inclusive Participation: Consider increasing the number of yatris gradually and ensuring better representation of senior citizens, women, and differently-abled pilgrims with proper support.
9. Promoting Alternate Spiritual Tourism: While respecting geopolitical sensitivities, the government can promote domestic spiritual circuits (e.g., Char Dham, Amarnath) as alternatives for those unable to join Kailash Yatra.
Conclusion
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra stands as a symbol of deep spiritual faith, cultural heritage, and diplomatic collaboration. Revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers, the Yatra offers not only a path to divine connection but also strengthens India’s soft power and religious diplomacy. While the journey remains physically demanding and geopolitically sensitive, the Indian government’s proactive measures—ranging from infrastructure upgrades to diplomatic negotiations—have ensured safer and more accessible pilgrimages.
Prelims Questions
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra:
1. The Yatra is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with other ministries and state governments.
2. Mount Kailash is sacred only to followers of Hinduism.
3. The Yatra route passes through both Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: C
Mains Questions
Q. Discuss the religious, diplomatic, and ecological significance of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. What challenges are faced in conducting the Yatra, and how can the Government of India ensure its sustainable and secure operation?
(250 words, 15 marks)
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