Amid a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the India-China border, the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim has been cancelled.
However, pilgrims travelling through the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand will continue as scheduled, a government official said.
The annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was flagged off earlier this month by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
However, China had declined permission for the first group of 50 pilgrims to proceed to Mount Kailash through the Nathu La pass.
The pilgrims had to return to Gangtok after they were denied permission.
Eight batches, each comprising around 50 pilgrims, were scheduled to take the Nathu La route to Mansarovar in Tibet. The route through the Nathu La pass that opened two years ago shortens the entire distance, making the pilgrimage less arduous. The Lipulekh route involves a treacherous trek of about 200 km, while the Nathu La route calls for trekking for only 35 km.
(With PTI inputs)
