Pithoragarh (Uttaranchal), July 10: The first batch of pilgrims today left Dharchula town for Mangti from where they would start an arduous track of 200 km to Kailash-Mansarover in Tibet, officials said today. "Mangati is the last motorhead in Pithoragarh district from where the pilgrims would start an arduous track of 200 km to Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet," district magistrate, Pithoragarh, Naveen Chandra Sharma told reporters.
The bus carrying the first batch comprising 16 members from Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states reached Dharchula town last evening from Almora, he said. All the camps have been equipped with medical facilities in Pithoragarh district, Sharma said adding Indian Air Force helicopters have been asked to remain alert in case of any eventuality.
The district administration has also set up satellite phones en-route all the five camps, Sharma said. The yatra began from New Delhi on Tuesday after a delay of five weeks due to refusal by Chinese authorities to give permission in the wake of SARS scare. Earlier the yatra was scheduled to begin on June 2.
This year 10 batches comprising 390 pilgrims are scheduled to undertake the famous yatra, major part of which falls in Tibet.
The Yatra will conclude on September 25. Bureau Report