Draw held for Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage

New Delhi, Apr 12 (ANI): The Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on Thursday presided over the computerized draw for the selection of the yatris (pilgrims) for the Kailash Manasarovar yatra this year.

While speaking to mediapersons, Kaur said: "As in previous years, this year also we will be taking up to a maximum of 960 yatris undertaking the yatra in 16 batches. We are happy that the participation in the yatra is increasing every year. Today we are going to select 960 Yatris on the basis of draw of lots through a computer-generated, gender balanced random selection process.

"The remaining eligible applicants will be put on the standby lists. As you can see, this exercise is being carried out in a completely transparent manner," she added.

Emphasising the importance the government attaches to the yatra, Kaur further said that it was government's endeavour to improve and upgrade facilities for the Kailash Manasarovar yatra on a continuing basis.

"It is the Government's endeavour to improve and upgrade facilities for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra on a continuing basis. This year too, Ministry of External Affairs will work in coordination with the Government of Uttarakhand and the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited for improvement of the facilities for yatris on the Indian side of the route.

"On the Chinese side, arrangements for the yatris are made by the authorities of Tibet Autonomous Region of China. These Chinese authorities have also been improving the facilities for the yatra on continuing basis," said Kaur.

The Kailash Manasarovar yatra is undertaken every year between June and September. The arrangements on the Chinese side are made by the authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Mansarover is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in Himalayan region dedicated to Lord Shiva. Each year thousands of devotees undertake the treacherous and rigorous journey through the mountains and plains of Nepal and China (Tibet) to reach this sacred land. (ANI)