Gangtok, Jun 16: A group of 36 pilgrims has reached Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, marking the commencement of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra after a six-year hiatus. They have moved to the 17 Mile area for acclimatization.

The pilgrims spent the night in Gangtok on Sunday and began their journey on Monday. They will stay at 17 Mile on June 16 to acclimatize before heading to Serathang and crossing the India-China border on June 20, according to an official statement.

C S Rao, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, mentioned that the group arrived at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, and traveled to Gangtok by road.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by officials from the Tourism Development Corporation at a bungalow in Rhenock.

The 17 Mile area is located approximately 27 kilometers from Gangtok. The pilgrims will continue their journey through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim and Shigatse city in Tibet before reaching Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

On June 20, the group is scheduled to cross the India-China border, as confirmed by an official.

Rao noted that the Nathu La-Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is organized on a government-to-government basis, with the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) overseeing the entire pilgrimage.

The group includes two officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and arrived in Gangtok on Sunday evening.

This year, a total of 750 Indian pilgrims have been selected for the yatra, with 500 traveling in ten groups via the Nathu La route and 250 through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

The STDC will manage the pilgrims' journey from Gangtok to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar and back.