Pithoragarh: The Kailash Darshan project from the old Lipulekh pass in the Vyas Valley of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand is set to commence from the first week of October this year.
Vinit Tomar, managing director of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency of the project, informed that the KMVN and the tourism department have started bookings for this pilot project.
KMVN to launch pilot tourism project in October
According to KMVN, a batch of 60 tourists will embark on their journey in the first week of October. Vinit Tomar, MD of KMVN, stated, “The pilot project of the pending tourism scheme will commence with 60 tourists. These tourists will be flown from Pithoragarh to Gunji by a private company’s helicopter, from where they will trek to the old Lipulekh Pass to view the Kailash peak.” He added that tourists under 55 years of age wishing to see the Kailash peak will be taken to the old Lipulekh Pass in groups of 15.
Old Lipulekh Pass as an alternative to Kailash Mansarovar yatra
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been suspended since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, it was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, from the Lipulekh Pass since 1981. “Since Mount Kailash is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the Kailash Darshan program from the old Lipulekh Pass is being considered an alternative to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, although permission has not yet been received from the Chinese government,” a tourism official in Pithoragarh mentioned.
Administration had stopped issuing inner-line permits after September 10
According to Shreshth Gunsola, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Dharchula, ‘Earlier this program was scheduled between 15 September to 30 October but due to bad weather, now it will probably be started from the first week of October. Amid heavy rains and landslides, the administration had stopped issuing inner-line permits after September 10, due to blockage of roads at several places.”
Significant rise in inquiries about the Kailash Darshan dates
Dhan Singh Bisht, the in-charge of the Adi Kailash Yatra at the Dharchula base camp, reported a significant rise in inquiries about the Kailash Darshan dates and other details this week. He mentioned, “It appears that if Adi Kailash devotees are allowed to visit Kailash from the old Lipulekh Pass, the number of tourists in Vyas Valley could double.”
Permits issued for Adi Kailash pilgrims
Meanwhile, the Dharchula administration issued ‘Inner Line’ permits to over 100 Adi Kailash pilgrims after the Border Roads Organisation cleared landslide debris from the road in Tawaghat on Wednesday night. Adi Kailash, also known as ‘Chota Kailash’ is a prominent religious site situated in Pithoragarh district.
PM Narendra Modi in October last year had visited Parvati Kund in front of Adi Kailash. This place became popular when he shared four pics on social media account ‘X’ and wrote that these places are truly mesmerising and urged people to visit these places.