China shuts door on Indian pilgrims, over 3,000 Kailash Mansarovar permits remain stuck

Thousands of Indian devotees hoping to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been caught in a bureaucratic limbo after China reportedly suspended permits for Indian citizens during the June-July pilgrimage season.

More than 3,000 permits are currently pending, while large numbers of pilgrims remain stranded near the Tibet border awaiting clearance. Many who travelled thousands of kilometres for the sacred journey are now returning home without completing the yatra.

The latest restriction follows China’s earlier decision to impose a common kitchen system for pilgrims, drawing criticism from devotees who said it made it difficult to maintain religious dietary practices and regional food preferences.

Under the revised rules, only eligible Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) holding specified travel documents are reportedly being allowed to proceed with the pilgrimage. For ordinary Indian citizens, access to Kailash Mansarovar has effectively been blocked for now.

Tour operators, including those from Gujarat, have submitted representations to the Central Government seeking intervention. However, no official statement has yet been issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on the reported restrictions.