After a gap of nearly five years, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed last year. This year's pilgrimage holds special significance as it coincides with the Year of the Horse in the Tibetan and East Asian calendar, which is considered very auspicious in Buddhism.

Hridayesh Joshi travelled to Kailash Mansarovar as part of a media delegation invited by the Chinese Embassy in India. In this report, he documents the pilgrimage route, speaks to Indian pilgrims, explores the religious and historical significance of the region, and examines what China’s renewed outreach around the yatra could mean for India-China relations.

The report also looks at the improvements in infrastructure, the experience of pilgrims on the route, and the strategic messaging that accompanies the reopening of one of the world’s most significant pilgrimages.

Disclaimer: Hridayesh Joshi travelled to Tibet as part of a media delegation invited by the Chinese Embassy in India. The embassy facilitated logistics for the visit.