Pilgrims start journey to Mansarovar via Simkot

By Rajan Rawat,Humla, May 15: The annual religious pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Mansarovar has begun for this year. Religious tourists from third countries have started their journey to Kailash Mansarovar via Simkot, the headquarters of Humla.

According to Rinjin Lama, a hotel and tourism entrepreneur, three British nationals arrived in Simkot from Nepalgunj on Tuesday for the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. Lama stated that the group plans to travel from Simkot to the Limi Valley, then proceed on foot to Hilsa and visit Mount Kailash in Mansarovar via Taklakot. They are expected to spend three days circumambulating Mount Kailash.

He added that another group is also expected to arrive soon, signaling the official start of this year’s pilgrimage season to Mansarovar. With the arrival of religious tourists, there is renewed excitement among local hotels and tourism businesses in Humla.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, China reopened the Hilsa border on May 1 last year. In that year, around twelve tourists undertook the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar via Hilsa.

This year, in addition to Indian pilgrims, many religious tourists from other countries are also preparing to undertake the journey to Mount Kailash via Hilsa border, Lama said. The Simkot Municipality welcomed the group with traditional khadas (ceremonial scarves) at the Simkot airport.

Previously, a nine-member team from Australia had visited Kailash Mansarovar via Simkot and Hilsa.

After the 2015 earthquake (2072 BS), a total of 30,258 pilgrims visited Kailash Mansarovar through Simkot and Hilsa over a span of four consecutive years. This influx of visitors had brought significant activity to the region, leading to the construction of large luxury hotels in both Hilsa and Simkot.