After China stalls Mansarovar Yatra, pilgrims in Sikkim share disappointment

With the Chinese government stalling the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from the Sikkim route this year, pilgrims who had to return from Gangtok have expressed their disappointment over cancellation of the yatra at the last moment.

Two batches comprising of at least 90 yatris were scheduled to cross into China through the Nathu-La pass last week but were denied access by the Chinese authorities without any prior intimation.

Stranded in Gangtok, exasperated pilgrims have been making desperate calls to the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi seeking clarity on the status of the yatra.

The MEA initially stated that the Government of India was taking the matter up with its Chinese counterpart accepting that there were "some difficulties" with the yatra through the Sikkim route.

However, the yatra was later called off and the Sikkim government made arrangements for the pilgrims to return to their respective locations from Gangtok.

Confirming the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, "Out of security considerations we have put off pilgrimages by Indian pilgrims through the Chinese pass."

For sixty-nine year old Gangadhar from Andhra Pradesh, this was the first attempt at the arduous pilgrimage despite stiff resistance from family members.

"My son told me there was no point in going at my age, and having to bear all the discomfort that comes with it," he told India Today. He now says that he is not sure if he will ever be able to make one more attempt next year.

Another yatri, Indu Upadhyay from Mumbai had embarked on the journey with her husband with a lot of faith knowing well that this would possibly be the last time they could make the journey.

"I am a devotee of Bhole Naath and had come on this pilgrimage with a lot of faith. This was our first and perhaps the last chance. We are aging and we don't think there will be a next time for us," she said.

Not just health considerations, pilgrims also had to shell out a lot of money for the trip. "I spent so much of my savings to come here - around 2 to 2.25 lakh rupees. It is all a question of faith. I had full faith that we would be allowed to proceed. But anyway, this is an international matter and not in our hands," said another pilgrim.

But despite the disappointment, there were some who said that the Indian government should never bow down to Chinese pressure.

"Yes we are disappointed to some extent but at the same time we are happy that our government is not bowing down to the demands of the Chinese," said one of the pilgrims.