Subsidy draws more pilgrims to Kailash

The higher subsidy given by Gujarat and Karnataka governments is attracting more pilgrims to take up Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

The Gujarat government is offering a subsidy of Rs 50,000 for each pilgrim, while the Karnataka government provides Rs 25,000. The Muzrai Department of the state government had proposed to bring the subsidy on a par with Gujarat's and the same is pending approval.

According to the SGL Tours & Travels Head R A Alur, the number of pilgrims had risen from 111 in the first year, when it organised the tour four years ago, to 434 people last year. This year, 300 have already booked their tickets. "The number of pilgrims has gone up since the last two years, on account of the state subsidy," he told reporters on Thursday in Mysore.

"While around 1,224 Kannadigas from across the country undertook the tour last year, the number of those who actually visited Kailash Manasarovar from Karnataka was about 800," PRO K Madhushankar added.

Appealing to the governor to enhance the subsidy to Rs 50,000 in the ensuing budget, former BJP MLC G Madhusudhan said the highest number of pilgrims visiting the pilgrim site was from Gujarat because of the high subsidy.

The Centre, however, is not offering any assistance, he said and urged it to provide at least the costly medicines and warm clothing the pilgrims needed for the pilgrimage.

A visit to this 23,080-foot pilgrimage site, which attracts both believers and non-believers alike, is now not difficult as it was in the past because of the increasing facilities for pilgrim along the yatra route, which passes through India, China and Tibet. It was possible to complete the tour by air, land cruiser and yak, and yak-men.

The pilgrim team in which Madhusudhan was a member comprised of a boy of eighth standard and a couple aged 86 and 84 years. Lingappa has undertaken the Kailash Parikrama 50 times. It takes three days for one Parikrama, the BJP leader said.

The Bangalore-based SGL Travels is also educating people on this sacred tour, holding photo exhibitions, documentary show and seminars, offering information and proper direction for those who desire to undertake the 16-day yatra and to clear any misunderstandings they may have.