Kailash Masarowar yatra, a 28-day pilgrimage this year

Devotees undertaking the annual Kailash Mansarowar yatra will have to spend an additional two days as the pilgrimage duration has been extended to 28 days this year.

Devotees undertaking the annual Kailash Mansarowar yatra will have to spend an additional two days as the pilgrimage duration has been extended to 28 days this year.

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One more camp has been set up at Pangla in addition to existing camps at Gala, Bundhi, Gunji, Kalapani and Nabhidhang en route to the holy place situated in northern Himalayas, KMVN, a nodal agency in-charge of organising the yatra, said today.

The decision to extend the pilgrimage was taken as devotees have to trek a treacherous eight-km alternative route between Chetalkot and Tawaghat after the original path was blocked by debris following a landslide at Chetalkot.

"Pilgrims will have to trek the eight-Km distance as debris due to a landslide at Chetalkot was not cleared yet. So we have arranged one more camp at Pangla keeping in mind the comforts of the pilgrims," Ashok Joshi, General Manager KMVN, said.

Chetalkot was hit by landslide on February 6th. With the debris still not cleared, devotees will have to cover the eight-Km distance on foot via a bypass route up to Tawaghat and reach Pangla by local Jeeps, he said.

The Yatra will commence from New Delhi on June 1st and culminate on 26th September when the 16th and last batch returns back to the national capital.

En route the pilgrimage, the pilgrims will spend 12 days, travelling throught the Chinese territory of Tibet.