1st batch of Kailash Mansarovar yatris to leave Delhi on Jun 1

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) The first batch of Kailash Mansarovar yatra will leave the national capital on June 1.

Like previous years the yatra this year would be conducted between June and September.

The devotees travel a distance of 1,023 km, 199 km on foot, in 26 days. They cross two passes, one at India China border (5,334 m high Lipulekh Pass) and other in China (5,550 m high Dolma La).

As many as 16 batches had been planned, with the first one leaving leaving on June 1 and returning on June 26 while the last would leave Delhi on August 27 and return on September 24.

The pilgrims have to undergo general medical examination at Delhi as well as a high altitude medical examination at Gunji in Uttranchal.

The yatra had commenced in 1981 and since then, a total 266 batches had performed the Kailash Mansarovar yatra.

Ministry of External Affairs along with Indo Tibetan Border Police and Kamaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, have overall responsility for conducting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, inlcuding 'selecting' the yatris and the Liaison Officer.

ITBP IG (HQ) R R Bhatnagar briefed the yatris and media personnel about the yatra and arrangements made by ITBP on behalf of government for the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

ITBP was associated in the process right from 'selecting' the yatries to providing them medical, telecommunication and security cover during the whole yatra.

Apart from arranging medical examination of the yatris at ITBP Base Hospital in Delhi, a panel of ITBP Doctors along with Para Medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment were detailed at Gunji to conduct the high altitude medical examination and provide medical cover.

The Medical Officer also accompanies the yatris from Gunji to Lipulekh Pass and back. In case of casualty evacuation, ITBP acts as Nodal agency for coordination, communication and arrangement of air evacuation with the help of the Air Force.

The Pithoragarh District Magistrate requisitiones helicopter for air evacuation on the recommendation of ITBP Medical Officers. In case, the ground situation did not permit air evacuation then ITBP troops evacuate the casualty to lower altitude or the nearest road head.

ITBP establishes the communication network from Gunji (India) with Taklakot (China) to monitor the progress of the yatra. Satellite telephones have been placed at two locations enroute for the yatris to communicate with their near and dear ones.

Two ITBP Disaster Management teams with dogs trained in casualty detection had been placed at Gothi and Garbiyang to conduct any rescue operations.

The teams were fully equipped to tackle the natural disasters.

Besides this, group of Disaster Management teams had also been deployed enroute with essential rescue stores at various locations.

Mt Kailash is located in Tibet, China at a height of 22,028 feet It was the source of four major rivers -- Sindhu, Satluj, Karnali and the mighty Brahmputra -- flowing in four different directions.

The Mountain is known was know as Khang Rimpoche (Precious jewel of snow).

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