AHMEDABAD, INDIA, JULY 24, 2005: A campaign is on to make the pilgrimage to the sacred mountain Kailash and lake Mansarovar in Tibet more affordable to pilgrims. Rajendra Swaroop Swami, a Hindu religious man deeply involved with the annual pilgrimage, has launched efforts to make the journey cheaper. “On behalf of the fraternity of holy men, we have made representations to the Chinese authorities,” Swami told IANS here. To achieve his aims, Swami constituted a trust, the International Sanatan Dharma Samaj, in April 2004.
The trust reached an understanding with Chinese authorities on long-term plans for development of the route and provisions for more facilities for pilgrims to the sites situated at a height of more than 17,000 feet above sea level. There are plans to develop route links to Kailash from Lhasa apart from the existing ones from New Delhi and Kathmandu. It is also proposed to construct boarding and lodging facilities for pilgrims at a distance of every 300 km along the trekking route besides medical facilities. Considered the holiest spot by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, Mount Kailash and lake Mansarovar are located in Ngari province of Tibet. India’s ministry of external affairs, in cooperation with the Chinese authorities, has been organizing the pilgrimage during June-September every year since 1981. Private tour operators also organise the journey from Kathmandu. “The official 26-day trip costs around US$1,477 whereas the private operators charge over $2,272. Our efforts are aimed at reducing the costs and making the pilgrimage more affordable,” Swami said.