1st batch of Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims begin yatra tomorrow

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today flagged off the first batch of Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims comprising 56 persons.
The pilgrims, who will set off for the yatra tomorrow, were presented with a kit containing a track suit, rain coat, puja material and other items by Jung.
Asking them to "pray" on his behalf, Jung extended his best wishes to the pilgrims hoping the "journey brings peace, happiness and prosperity" to them.
The yatra was called off last year due to extensive damage to the route caused by floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Uttarakhand.
Phool Chand Jat, a pilgrim from Ahmedabad, though disappointed about the cancellation last year, expressed happiness that he was finally going.

"I am very happy that I am finally going to undertake this spiritual journey," he said.

"We are facilitating the trip organised by the Ministry of External Affairs by making arrangements for boarding and lodging during the stay of the yatris in the city. The state government also handed over an assistance amount of Rs 30,000 each to 10 pilgrims from Delhi," said Divisional Commissioner Dharam Pal said.
The yatra, which is conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs every year in close cooperation with the government of China, is scheduled from June 12 to September 9 in 18 batches of 60 pilgrims each this year.

The pilgrimage involves trekking at high altitudes of up to 19,500 feet and is undertaken by hundreds of people every year.