First batch of official Indian pilgrims concludes pilgrimage in SW China's Xizang
The first batch of official Indian pilgrims recently concluded their pilgrimage to Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region and returned home on Tuesday, TIBET.CN reported on Wednesday.
According to Xinhua News Agency, a total of 39 Indian pilgrims formed the first officially organized pilgrimage group this year, marking the resumption of pilgrimages to Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso by Indians after a five-year hiatus. They entered China via the Nathu La Pass at about noon on June 20 and visited the sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites of Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso in Xizang's Ngari Prefecture during their 12-day journey.
The group included 13 women and 26 men, aged between 18 and 69, with members coming from various regions of India, per TIBET.CN
A tea reception for these pilgrims was held in Xigaze on June 30. Pilgrim representative Meghna Buiya thanked the Chinese side for providing excellent logistical support, including accommodations and kitchen facilities, which made the journey more comfortable and convenient. She noted that, according to pilgrims who had made the trip years ago, the facilities for pilgrims have significantly improved.
Pradanya Ketkar said that before entering, the group underwent four days of high-altitude acclimatization training. She added that meticulous planning ensured the safe completion of this challenging journey for all pilgrims.
Shalendar Sharma expressed deep gratitude to both the Chinese and Indian governments for facilitating the pilgrimage and expressed hope that such journeys could continue in the future.
Liu Lin, deputy director of the foreign affairs office of the Xizang region said that from the statements of the pilgrim representatives, he sensed the Indian people's longing for the sacred mountain and lake, as well as their joy at the resumption of the pilgrimage.
Liu said the resumption of Indian pilgrims' visits to Xizang for pilgrimage reflects an important consensus between China and India. "China has invested significant manpower, materials, and funding to improve and maintain the roads and facilities along the pilgrimage route, overcoming huge logistical and security challenges. We hope Indian pilgrims will return home with the goodwill of the Chinese people," Liu said.
According to Xinhua, Indian pilgrimages to the two sites in Xizang were suspended in 2020. On April 28, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced their resumption this summer under a bilateral agreement.
Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso are the "sacred mountain and lake" for believers of several religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, Guo said, adding that these pilgrimages are an important part of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and India.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, Guo said that China stands ready to work with India to earnestly implement the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, and to advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development.