Dehradun: On the first day of Navratri, the long-cherished dream of Shiva devotees was realized as they witnessed the holy Mount Kailash from the Old Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district. A group of five pilgrims embarked on this sacred journey today, where they were overwhelmed with devotion upon seeing the divine abode of Lord Shiva. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and with the consent of the central government, the Uttarakhand government successfully organized this pilgrimage.
Special Tour Package by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam
To facilitate this historic pilgrimage, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) designed a special 5-day tour package that includes not only Mount Kailash but also the sacred Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. On Wednesday, the first group of pilgrims was flown by helicopter to Gunji in Pithoragarh, from where they were taken by road to Old Lipulekh. There, they were blessed with the divine sight of Mount Kailash and Om Parvat. Tomorrow, they will be taken to Jolingkong for a visit to Adi Kailash, with an overnight stay at Gunji. On October 5, the pilgrims will return to Pithoragarh by helicopter.
Chief Minister’s Statement: Steps to Promote Tourism and Curb Migration
Expressing his delight over the successful pilgrimage, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “It is an immensely joyous occasion for Shiva devotees to witness Mount Kailash from Indian soil. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our government is working towards promoting tourism in border villages to curb the issue of migration faced by local residents.” He further stated that efforts will be made to develop facilities to make the pilgrimage even more accessible in the future.
