In a momentous development for devotees worldwide, Uttarakhand Tourism has unveiled the much-anticipated ‘Mount Kailash Darshan from Indian Soil’ pilgrimage. This groundbreaking initiative grants pilgrims the extraordinary opportunity to witness the revered Mount Kailash, a sacred peak in Hinduism, from within India.
The journey takes pilgrims to the Old Lipulekh Peak in the Pithoragarh district, where they can behold the awe-inspiring Mount Kailash. The pilgrimage also includes a visit to Om Parvat, offering a holistic spiritual experience that remains entirely within Indian borders. The first group of pilgrims embarked on this sacred journey on October 2, 2024, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, and were able to witness Mount Kailash from Old Lipulekh Peak the following day. Their pilgrimage continues with a visit to Adi Kailash before returning to Pithoragarh.
This comprehensive pilgrimage package is meticulously designed for convenience and includes helicopter transportation from Pithoragarh to Gunji and back, with accommodations arranged at either Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) guesthouses or homestays. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) emphasized that the initiative aims to facilitate a seamless and enriching spiritual experience for travelers while simultaneously promoting religious tourism in the region.
The discovery of Old Lipulekh Peak, the point from which Mount Kailash is clearly visible, was made just a few months ago by officials from Uttarakhand Tourism, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Following the discovery, Uttarakhand Tourism swiftly developed a comprehensive package encompassing the darshan of Mount Kailash, Adi Kailash, and Om Parvat, all visible from Indian soil.
According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva has five sacred abodes: Kinnaur Kailash, Mani Mahesh, and Shrikhand Mahadev in Himachal Pradesh, Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand, and Mount Kailash, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This new initiative allows devotees to experience a part of their spiritual journey without crossing international borders, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed immense pride in the successful execution of this first pilgrimage, underscoring the government’s commitment to offering safe and accessible routes for spiritual journeys. He congratulated all departments involved and emphasized that Shiva devotees no longer need to wait for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, as they can now pay their respects from Indian territory. This initiative marks a significant milestone for Uttarakhand Tourism, further solidifying the state’s reputation as a key spiritual destination and providing a substantial boost to religious tourism in the region.
