Humla, June 30: The number of pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar from Hilsa via Taklakot in China has increased lately. 

The Hilsa border, which remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was reopened by the Chinese government last year. Since then, tourists visiting Kailash Mansarovar via this route have increased. 

According to District Police Office Inspector Narendra Chand, 119 pilgrims arrived at Kailash Mansarovar taking a route of Hilsa from Simkot to Taklakot between April 27 and June 28. Although China has opened both sides since last year, a total of 17 religious tourists have visited Kailash Mansarovar from Hilsa. He said that the number of tourists had increased more than fivefold since last year.

Tourism entrepreneur Gorkha Lama informed that more groups were on the way and the number of pilgrims is expected to increase. 

Since Indian tourists are not permitted to enter China from the Hilsa border, tourists from other countries have been using this route to reach the Himalayas. 

After the 2015 earthquake, more than 31,000 Indian religious tourists visited Kailash Mansarovar via Hilsa. Additionally, Sita Air, Tara Air and Summit Air have been conducting daily flights with Simrik Air’s helicopter staying stand-by at night in Simkot Airport to take passengers from Simkot to Hilsa.