Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded in Nepal, MEA issues advisory

The External Affairs Ministry has advised Indian citizens not to commence the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra until they have obtained all the required travel documents for the complete journey. The Ministry has issued the advisory after receiving requests for assistance from Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal while undertaking the Yatra through private tour operators. The External Affairs Ministry said that some Indian citizens undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators travelled to Nepal without obtaining the mandatory entry permit and visa required for entering China.
As a result, several pilgrims have been stranded and sought assistance from the Ministry. It advised pilgrims not to begin the Yatra without confirmed travel documents, saying that travelling in anticipation of obtaining the necessary permits could lead to difficulties during the journey. The Ministry has also urged pilgrims to verify that their tour operator is duly registered and authorised before undertaking the pilgrimage. The advisory aims to ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage and prevent inconvenience to devotees.
The issue was raised earlier by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who said around 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar were stranded in Kathmandu and required urgent assistance. In a post on X, Sule appealed to authorities to intervene and help the pilgrims continue their journey safely. On June 20, the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 crossed into China through the India-China border at Nathu La Pass.