First batch of pilgrims departs for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Sikkim; will reach Nathu La on 20 June

Gangtok: The first batch of 33 pilgrims, on their way to Kailash Mansarovar via Nathu La pass in Sikkim, was flagged off from Gangtok on Saturday. Additional Chief Secretary SC Gupta flagged off a Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) bus carrying the pilgrims for their onward journey. There are two routes for the yatra - through Lipulekh pass (Uttarakhand) and Natu La pass (Sikkim). [caption id=“attachment_3763105” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. News18 Hindi[/caption] The route via Sikkim was stopped by China in the aftermath of the military face-off with India last year at Doka La. The yatra, which holds religious value and cultural significance, is undertaken by hundreds of people every year. A welcome and briefing session was held at a local hotel a day after the pilgrims arrived here from Delhi. The batch also has two Liaison officers. This is the fourth year of the pilgrimage from Sikkim. Gupta apprised the pilgrims about the rules and regulations and urged them to cooperate with each other as well as the supporting staff. The Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary CP Dhakal, ITBP DIG KD Dwivedi, ITBP Deputy Commandant Ganesh Rohtela, Sikkim Mountaineering Association president Kunzang Gyatso also interacted with the pilgrims. The pilgrims will stay two days at 15th mile and another two days at Sherathang for acclimatization. There will be a final medical check at Nathu La on 20 June before they cross over to China.