The first batch of 40 pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the alternative Nathula Pass route from Sikkim was today flagged off by Sikkim Governor Shriniwas D Patil and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
At a function organised at Ridge Park in the capital, the pilgrims including two women Roshan Pradhan and Jyoti Mala Gurung and five support staff began the journey.
The function began with the offering of prayers and lighting of butter lamps by the Governor and the Chief Minister for the safety and success of the yatris.
They also planted a sapling to mark the occasion. The pilgrims were also offered scarves and gifts. The Governor and the Chief Minister released a commemorative special postal cover to mark the event.
Wishing the pilgrims a bon voyage, the governor said how the state and its officials had been working tirelessly to give the best possible facilities to the pilgrims.
The state of Sikkim, he said, is the prime example of unity in diversity where people of all race and religion live as a cohesive unit.
The Governor and the Chief Minister also appealed to the pilgrims to come back from the yatra and enjoy the beauty of the state and its various tourist destinations.
The Chief Minister credited the current NDA government at the Centre and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of this route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
He said though Sikkim had left no stone unturned to give the best possible facilities to the yatris, but if they found any shortcomings they were welcome to offer their suggestions so that the state could improve even more.
The pilgrims expressed their happiness to have been the first batch of pilgrims to undertake this yarta through this new route.
The new route through the Himalayan pass of Nathula 4,000 meters above sea level will facilitate more comfortable travel for the pilgrims, especially for the elderly, by buses compared to the existing way via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.
