Kailash Yatra from Lucknow: Do I Need a Visa?

The sacred mountain Mount Kailash attracts thousands of pilgrims every year for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, as Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon sect all hold it in reverence. If you are from Lucknow and booking this spiritually enriching pilgrimage, one of the first questions that may arise is: "Do I require a visa for the Lucknow Kailash Yatra?" This blog shall provide an answer to this question and guide you through each step of the Yatra—from travel routes, visa and permit rules, to preparation guidelines for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Understanding the Significance of Kailash Yatra

Before diving into the visa requirements, let’s understand the spiritual and cultural importance of the Kailash Yatra.

Mount Kailash, nestled in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, stands as the residence of Lord Shiva and is revered as the center of the world in Hinduism. The journey entails walking around the mountain (a ritual called parikrama or kora), a process that pushes one's physical endurance and faith to their limits.

Thousands of Indian pilgrims, many from Uttar Pradesh and particularly Lucknow, embark on this sacred yatra yearly in the hopes of washing away sin and achieving ultimate salvation.