NEW DELHI: Observing that the blessings of Lord Shiva was with the Ministry of External Affairs in its success story of the past two years, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today flagged-off first batch of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which will be conducted in 25 batches with the record number of yatris paying their obeisance at the abode of Lord Shiva.
The yatra would be conducted from two routes, one from the traditional route via Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand and other from Nathu La pass, which is fully motorable.
More number of yatris, in all 350, will be going for the darshan of Mount Kailash and pristine Mansarovar in the backdrop of it through the Nathu La route, which was thrown open last year, with 250 yatris in five batches were taken for the yatra.
Addressing the yatris, Ms Swaraj said the Lord Shiva’s special blessings seem to be with her ministry in its glorious successes. She called upon the pilgrims to maintain decorum while on other side of the border.
“As an Indian, you also need to show the utmost respect to the local Chinese customs. You should not be indulging in any act which could malign your country’s image out there,” she said.
In this year of the pilgrimage, record number of 1,430 yatris have planned to visit the holy place, an increase of over 400 compared to last year. (AGENCIES)
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