4 days ago
Nepal Floods Reveal Risks on Private Kailash Pilgrimage Routes
Floods hit parts of Nepal and Tibet where many people travel to Mount Kailash.
Some Indian and Indian-origin pilgrims were missing after the floods.
The official Indian pilgrimage has limited places and requires medical tests.
It also uses routes through Uttarakhand and Sikkim rather than Nepal.
Because private trips are more available, many people use tour companies that travel through Nepal.
These journeys pass through narrow mountain roads and border crossings.
Floods and landslides can damage roads, bridges, communication systems and border facilities.
The incident showed how risky the popular private route can be.
Flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district and adjoining Tibet disrupted routes used by private Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage groups.
The government-organized pilgrimage uses Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim, not Nepal.
Private operators use Nepal routes because official pilgrim places are limited, selection is lottery-based, and government trips require medical screening and take 21 days.
A major Nepal route passes through Trishuli, Dhunche, Syafrubesi and Rasuwagadhi before entering Tibet through Gyirong County.
Nepal immigration data recorded 13,523 religious tourists crossing Rasuwagadhi for Kailash Manasarovar during the 2025–26 financial year.
- Who
- Indian and Indian-origin Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims, private tour operators, and the Indian government-organized pilgrimage system were involved.
- What
- Flash floods affected Nepal-based travel routes used by private pilgrimage groups heading to or returning from Mount Kailash.
- Where
- The flooding affected Nepal’s Rasuwa district, including areas near Trishuli, Dhunche and Rasuwagadhi, as well as adjoining Tibet.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday; Nepal recorded route traffic during the 2025–26 financial year.
- Why
- Many pilgrims use private Nepal routes because official places are limited, selection is conducted by lottery, and government-organized journeys require extensive medical screening and take 21 days.
Key facts
- Official pilgrimage routes
- Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim
- Annual government capacity
- 1,000 pilgrims, divided into 20 batches of 50
- Government trip duration
- 21 days on both official routes
- Rasuwagadhi religious tourists
- 13,523 during the 2025–26 financial year
- Previous-year comparison
- 11,387 pilgrims used the crossing in the previous year, an increase of 18.75%
- Private overland journey
- The Kathmandu-to-Kailash journey generally takes about 10 to 14 days
- Affected Isha Foundation group
- 77 pilgrims and three staff members
Sources
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