NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 2, 2006: “There is a pressing need today to organize and monitor the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in a better manner and provide all possible assistance to those devout Hindus who undertake this holy pilgrimage by spending a large amount of money.” These views were expressed by Shri Shashi Kant, President, Kailash Mansarovar Sewa Samiti (Regd.) while addressing a press conference in the Press Club of India on December 1 in connection with a three day Kailash Mansarovar Mahasammelan being organized by the Samiti in New Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium from December 4 to 6, 2006.
According to Shri Shashi Kant, the main aim of the three day event is to raise funds for a proposed Kailash Mandir and Bhawan which would be built in New Delhi for the convenience of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims who gather in New Delhi every year as the pilgrimage starts from here. Over 2500 pilgrims from all over India will be attending the event and will share their experiences and discuss the problems faced by them in connection with this arduous pilgrimage.
The three day event would be formally inaugurated jointly by His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj (Muniji), President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh and Shri D.R. Kaarthikeyan, Advisor-Law-Human Rights and will also have the blessings of Sri Sri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kalyananand Giri Ji Maharaj, Palanpur, Gujarat, Sidhyogi Sri Siva Shankar Baba Ji Maharaj, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, and Mahayogi Pilot Baba Maharaj, New Delhi. The launching ceremony will be followed by a Kalash Puja ceremony to be conducted by Acharya Dr. Ravindra Nagar, head of Purohitya and Karam Kand wing of Delhi’s Birla Mandir.
In an exclusive interview with Hinduism Today, Shri Shashi Kant said, “Very few people would know that the visas granted by the Chinese Government for the Kailash Yatra are given technically for the purpose of trekking and not for pilgrimage.” He further said that two state governments, Gujarat and New Delhi, were giving a subsidy of US$559 and $223 respectively for this pilgrimage that costs around US$1500 per pilgrim and this was perhaps the reason that a large number of pilgrims undertaking this pilgrimage are from Gujarat. Shri Shashi Kant also told Hinduism Today that every pilgrim had to undergo a medical test costing US$51 from specific private hospitals of New Delhi and demanded that this test should either be conducted free of charge in a government owned hospital or the pilgrims should be free for having this test done at a hospital of their own choice where the cost could be considerably less.