Uttarakhand is renowned for its spiritual significance, stunning landscapes, and pilgrimage routes attracting millions of devotees yearly. The state’s tourism board has recently launched a groundbreaking initiative—the ‘Mount Kailash Darshan from Indian Soil’ pilgrimage.
Mount Kailash Darshan From Indian Soil
The state’s tourism board has recently launched a groundbreaking initiative—the ‘Mount Kailash Darshan from Indian Soil’ pilgrimage. For the first time, devotees now have the opportunity to view the sacred Mount Kailash. This spiritual journey begins from the Old Lipulekh Peak in the Pithoragarh district and includes visiting the mystical Om Parvat. For the devout and spiritual seekers alike, this initiative offers a unique pilgrimage experience, all while staying within the borders of India.
On October 2, 2024, the first group of pilgrims set out on this holy trek. They were able to see the breathtaking Mount Kailash from Old Lipulekh Peak on October 3. On October 4, they would visit Adi Kailash as part of their ongoing pilgrimage before heading back to Pithoragarh, as per the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The location of Old Lipulekh Peak provides a clear view of Mount Kailash. This was discovered a few months ago by representatives of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and Uttarakhand Tourism. Following the finding, Uttarakhand Tourism moved quickly to create a package. This includes the darshan of Mount Kailash, Adi Kailash, and Om Parvat—all of which are viewable from Indian territory.
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Package Inclusions?
This all-inclusive pilgrimage package includes accommodation at either a homestay or a guesthouse run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN). It also includes helicopter transportation from Pithoragarh to Gunji and back. The initiative’s dual goals of fostering religious tourism in the area and facilitating passengers’ seamless spiritual experiences were emphasised. Reservations for the four nights and five days package, which includes GST, can be made on the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam website for Rs. 80,000 per tourist.
Hindu texts describe five sacred abodes of Lord Shiva: Mount Kailash in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China; Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand; Mani Mahesh and Shrikhand Mahadev in Himachal Pradesh; and Kinnaur Kailash. With the help of this innovative program, devotees can travel a portion of their spiritual path without having to go across national boundaries.
As religious tourism continues to grow, this new offering may become a cornerstone of spiritual travel in Uttarakhand.
Cover image credits: Canva
First Published: October 04, 2024 11:32 AM