Jaishankar Draws Lots for 1,000 Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims

In a landmark event, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar personally oversaw the computerized lottery that selected 1,000 lucky pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra scheduled for 2026. The transparent process ensured gender balance and fairness across all regions. Pilgrims will journey in 20 separate batches, each comprising 50 participants, using the improved Lipulekh and Nathu La routes. Both passes now feature motorable roads, greatly reducing physical exertion for devotees. Notifications have already been sent via SMS and email, allowing pilgrims to confirm participation on the official portal or through the dedicated helpline number. After a five-year hiatus caused by border tensions, the pilgrimage restarted in 2025 following improved bilateral ties with China. Recent objections from Nepal regarding the Lipulekh route were addressed firmly by New Delhi, which stressed the pass’s long-standing use since 1954 and rejected unilateral territorial claims as historically unfounded.