Sushma flags off first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday flagged off the first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris, who will travel through the Nathu La pass, from the national capital.

"For me, it is the second time when I am flagging off the first batch of the yatris to Kailash Mansarovar. Today, I am happy to state that this time Nathu La pass is open to be used by a batch to head for

Manasarovar yatra," Sushma told the batch of pilgrims.

"You all are very lucky. So many applied but your lottery worked. Actually, you have received Bhagwan Shankar's bulava," she added.

Ministry of External Afairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup also tweeted about the flag off.

"A holy pilgrimage begins. EAM @SushmaSwaraj flags off first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris from Delhi," he tweeted.

The new route of Nathu La pass this year will enable the pilgrims to drive all along, travelling first from Gangtok in Sikkim to Shigatse in Tibet, from where they can take vans and buses on the existing road to Mansarovar and Kailash directly.