Adi Kailash Yatra Commences with the Arrival of the First Batch of 49 Pilgrims

Adi Kailash Yatra has commenced, drawing pilgrims and adventurers to one of the most sacred and picturesque sites in the Himalayas. 

With the arrival of the first batch of devotees at the Dharchula base camp, en route to Jolingkong, the Adi Kailash pilgrimage has begun. Adi Kailash, also known as Chota Kailash, soaring to a height of 19,500 ft. is nestled in the remote Himalayan ranges of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Regarded as the Axis Mundi, the center of the Earth and considered a replica of the more famous Mount Kailash in Tibet, the peak holds immense spiritual significance. According to Hindu mythology, Adi Kailash is the site where Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati, reside and bestow blessings upon their devotees.

As per recent reports the initial group of 49 pilgrims, comprising 32 men and 17 women from various parts of the country, reached the yatra's base camp at Dharchula. These pilgrims are making their way towards the Shiv-Parvati temple, set alongside a lake at an elevation of 18,500 ft. in Jolingkong, which opens up to captivating views of the sacred Adi Kailash peak.

It will take over seven days for each batch of pilgrims to complete the Adi Kailash Yatra during which they will stay at camps in Pithoragarh, Dharchula, Gunji, Bundi, Chaukori, and Bhimtal. On the eighth day, pilgrims will depart for New Delhi. So far over 500 pilgrims from all over India have booked for this year’s yatra. The current phase of the Adi Kailash yatra will continue through May and June. It will remain closed during the monsoon months of July and August and will resume from September to November. 

Based on previous reports, the launching of India's inaugural helicopter yatra for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has offered the devotees broader access overcoming the limitations posed by season and terrain. As the Adi Kailash Yatra begins, it not only invites pilgrims to experience the divine but also serves as a window to the Himalayas' timeless beauty and significance.