Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 and the Lipulekh Row with Nepal
Why in the news
Nepal formally protested against the India-China plan to run the pilgrimage through Lipulekh Pass this year, and New Delhi rejected the protest.
Key facts
- Season: June to August 2026, after a break of several years; about 1,000 pilgrims in batches.
- Nepal: foreign ministry objected on 3 May 2026, relying on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli.
- India: MEA termed the claims unjustified and untenable, citing use since 1954.
| Point | Lipulekh Pass | Nathu La Pass |
|---|---|---|
| State | Uttarakhand (Pithoragarh) | Sikkim |
| Terrain | Once a tough trek; 80-km motorable road now | Mostly motorable, easier for the elderly |
| Status | Oldest and shortest route | Opened in 2015 as an alternative |
The Lipulekh dispute
- Root cause: differing views on the source of the Mahakali River.
- Nepal: it rises at Limpiyadhura, further west, so Lipulekh is Nepali.
- India: it starts lower, near Kalapani, so the pass is in Uttarakhand.
- Value: Lipulekh is a tri-junction with Nepal and China, useful for border monitoring and a link to Tibet.
Exam angle
- Areas claimed by Nepal: Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura.
- Two yatra routes: Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim).