The Government of India has opened applications for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026, with the pilgrimage scheduled between June and August, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The application process for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 has been formally launched by the Ministry of External Affairs. The pilgrimage will take place between June and August 2026. Interested applicants can apply online, with the deadline set for 19 May 2026.
The application process has been made fully digital. Applicants are required to register on the official portal and complete the submission process online. The ministry has stated that no offline submissions, including letters or fax, will be accepted. All updates and information will be available only through the official website, which also provides feedback and assistance options.
The yatra will be conducted through two routes. One route will pass through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, while the other will go through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.
A total of 100 pilgrims will be selected for the journey. They will be divided into batches of 10 each. Of these, 50 pilgrims will travel via the Uttarakhand route and 50 via the Sikkim route. The pilgrimage is organised in coordination between India and China, as the sites are located in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The selection process will be conducted through a computer-generated randomised system. The ministry has stated that gender balance will be maintained to ensure equal opportunity for male and female applicants.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are regarded as among the most sacred pilgrimage sites. In Hindu belief, Mount Kailash is considered the abode of Lord Shiva, while Lake Mansarovar is associated with spiritual purity and liberation.
The sites are also significant for Jain and Buddhist followers. In Jain tradition, the region is linked to the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, while in Buddhism it is regarded as a sacred location.
The pilgrimage was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It remained disrupted for several years due to tensions between India and China, particularly the military standoff in the Eastern Ladakh region. The yatra was resumed in 2025 following efforts to improve bilateral relations.
