The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory asking Indian citizens not to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra until they have secured all mandatory travel documents required for the entire journey. The advisory comes after several Indian pilgrims travelling through private tour operators reportedly became stranded in Nepal and later sought assistance from Indian authorities.According to the Ministry, some Indian citizens undertaking the pilgrimage had travelled to Nepal without obtaining the required permits and visa documentation needed for entering China. As a result, pilgrims encountered difficulties during the course of their journey and required support after becoming stuck during the travel process.The Ministry stated that the issue emerged due to travellers beginning the pilgrimage in anticipation of receiving permits and travel approvals later, instead of obtaining them before departure. Officials cautioned that such situations can create serious disruptions and inconvenience during a journey that involves multiple stages of international travel and regulatory requirements.
Ministry of External Affairs statement on Kailash Mansarovar visit
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is among the most significant spiritual pilgrimages for many devotees and attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. Located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar hold religious importance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the Bon faith. The pilgrimage generally requires extensive planning because travellers pass through international borders and need several clearances and travel documents.The Ministry advised pilgrims not to start the journey unless all documentation has been confirmed for the complete route. It said that beginning the pilgrimage with the expectation that remaining approvals would be obtained later may lead to travel complications and logistical difficulties.The advisory gains significance because a large number of Indian pilgrims also choose to undertake the Yatra through private tour operators rather than through government-facilitated arrangements. The Ministry specifically urged citizens to verify whether their chosen travel operator is duly registered and authorised before making travel plans.The development also draws attention to the complex nature of the Kailash Mansarovar journey. Unlike regular domestic travel, the pilgrimage involves movement across international territories and requires adherence to regulations set by multiple authorities. Travel permissions play an essential role because the route includes border crossings and controlled regions where access is subject to specific conditions.While no detailed figures regarding the number of affected travellers were provided, the Ministry indicated that the situation was significant enough to warrant a public advisory aimed at preventing similar incidents.Officials stressed that undertaking the pilgrimage without complete documentation can create avoidable challenges and place travellers in difficult situations during the journey. The government’s message to prospective pilgrims remains clear: travel plans for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra should only proceed after all mandatory permits, visas and related travel documents have been obtained and verified. Pilgrims have also been advised to carefully examine the credentials of private operators before committing to travel arrangements.