In a groundbreaking initiative, the inaugural Kailash–Mansarovar Darshan Flight, marked as the first mountain flight to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar, took off from Nepalgunj with 38 Indian pilgrims on board this Monday.
Offering a breathtaking close-up view of the revered Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, the chartered flight soared to an elevation of 27,000 ft, providing a magnificent spectacle of these holy pilgrimage sites.
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The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, situated in the Ngari prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, holds profound significance for Hindus globally, and is also revered by Buddhists, Jains, and adherents of Tibet’s indigenous Bonpa faith.
Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, China reopened the pilgrimage route in 2023. However, the substantial increase in fees and stringent visa restrictions, particularly for Indian pilgrims, meant that the yatra’s practically didn’t happen.
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“This chartered flight of Shri Airlines, carrying 38 Indian tourists, completed the trip in approximately one and a half hours,” reported Keshav Neupane, the regional director of the Siddhartha Business Group spearheading the venture. If reports are to go by, the diverse group of tourists on this maiden flight hailed from major Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
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Describing the flight to Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar as affordable, efficient, reliable, and safe, Neupane expressed plans for the next chartered flight scheduled for the first week of February. He added that subsequent flights would be organised based on demand, and thereby, create a more accessible and convenient route for pilgrims.
Mani Lamichhane, director at Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted the significance of this endeavour in enhancing border tourism movement. With this new approach, Indian tourists can now witness the divine beauty of Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar without the need to travel to Kathmandu. He noted the strategic location of Nepalgunj, being a mere 200 km northeast of Lucknow in India and accessible by road, will provide a streamlined journey for pilgrims.
“The Indian tourists can feel the divinity without doing much hard work. They don’t need to spend days to see Mt. Kailash. They will get to see it within 1.5 hours,” Lamichhane noted. This initiative will open a new avenue in tourism through this innovative flight, he added. The introduction of this chartered flight will not only simplify the pilgrimage process, but will also contribute to the diversification and expansion of tourism in the region.