If
there is one pilgrimage that Hindus want to make in their lifetime,
it is the pilgrimage of Kailash mountain located in Tibet. The
mountain peak of Kailash and the large reservoir of water, at the
foot of the mountain, known as 'Mansarovar,' are the most sacred
places for Hindus. Both these places are located in western Tibet and
are also equally sacred for Tibetans, who follow Buddhist religion.
Travelling to Kailash from India till last year was done by most of
the pilgrims by direct India-Tibet land route. Journey on this route
was done in parts by a vehicle and balance on foot. The initial part
of this journey was done by a vehicle on a motorable road which went
through the towns, Almora, Dania, Pithoragarh, Dharchula, Tawaghat
and Narayan Ashram. From here the trek began with pilgrims walking
along the 'Kali' river up to Kalapani. A tough trek of 9 Km to
Navidhang and then a further trek of 8 Km took the pilgrims to the
Lipulekh pass (5334m) located on the international border and
crossing it took the pilgrims to Tibet. Here the Tibetan/Chinese
authorities would welcome them. They walked down to Chang Lobochahela
and from here by truck and bus they reached the old trading town of
Taklakot (Purang), which is situated on the banks of the Karnali
river. Onwards journey to Kailash was done by a bus. This travel was
considered as one of the most arduous and strenuous, even for a
fittest person. Because of this, Indian Government had made it
mandatory for the pilgrims to undergo strict medical check up before
they were allowed to go.
Things
changed last year when a 60-meter-long road bridge at Kanchyoti
village between Dharchula and Narayan Ashram and large portions of
road in the nearby Tawaghat area were washed away in flash floods.
This affected the Kailash pilgrimage to such an extent that last year
that the number of “official” pilgrims was reduced just to just
51. An alternative route was planned that would connect Tawaghat to
Sirkha and Gala, the first and second Indian base camps of the
pilgrimage. However part of this route from Tawaghat to Gala runs
along the Kali river and is believed to be prone to landslides. Also
this alternative route between Tawaghat and Sirkha has a 19-km-long,
steep trek. The authorities consider it as risky and unsafe for
pilgrims.
Meanwhile
Government is also trying to repair the original route. The Border
Roads Organisation (BRO) and PWD are handling the repair and
construction work in the area along with the Indo-Tibetan Border
Police. The plan is to build a 124-meter-long road bridge in place of
the one washed away. However, considering the pace at which this work
is progressing, it is doubtful whether the road would be ready soon.
There
is an easier way to Kailash also , via Nepal, where a bus can take
you all the way. But this travel is an expensive proposition and not
many pilgrims are willing to take this up. Realising the hardships
faced by the pilgrims wanting to do this journey, India's Prime
Minister Narendra Modi suggested that a new route to Kailash may be
opened by China to Chinese president Mr. Xi JinPing, during their
meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in
July 2014.
Responding
positively to this matter, China has just announced that a new route
would be opened up soon to Kailash via Sikkim, rather than
Uttarakhand route of present. This new route would cross the
international border near Nathu La in Sikkim and will traverse
through the city of Shigatse to Kailash. The entire route to Kailash
would use motorable roads. This will help older pilgrims, who will
be able to drive up to Kailash instead of walking or using mules.
Shigatse is also now connected to Lhasa by a high-altitude railway
line, which was inaugurated in August 2014 itself. The gesture has
great political significance,given China’s sensitivities over
Tibet, and denotes a new confidence in opening up parts of the region
to people from outside.
Opening
of this route would bring big relief for Kailash pilgrims because not
only the journey would be safer, it would also be cheaper, faster and
less arduous. A positive and welcome news for Indians.
22nd
September 2014
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