New Delhi: India has issued an advisory for its citizens planning to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators, urging pilgrims not to begin their journey unless they have secured all the mandatory travel documents, including the required permits and visas for entering China. 

The advisory comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received several requests for assistance from Indian nationals who became stranded in Nepal while attempting to undertake the pilgrimage without the necessary entry permits and Chinese visas. 

According to the MEA, many of the affected pilgrims had opted for tours organised by private travel operators.

In its statement, the Ministry cautioned travellers against commencing their journey based on the expectation that the required documents would be arranged later.

"Citizens are advised not to commence their journey from India until all required travel documents have been obtained for undertaking the complete journey. Commencing travel without confirmed documentation or in anticipation of obtaining the necessary documentation increases the likelihood of being stranded," the MEA said.

The Ministry also advised prospective pilgrims to carefully verify the credentials of private tour operators before making travel arrangements.

"Pilgrims are also strongly advised to verify that their tour operator is duly registered and authorised," the Ministry added.

The advisory was issued amid reports that around 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal, and are seeking urgent assistance to continue their onward journey safely.

The issue was highlighted earlier on Saturday by Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule, who appealed to the MEA and the concerned Indian diplomatic missions to intervene and provide immediate assistance to the stranded pilgrims.

She urged the authorities to ensure that the affected Indian citizens receive timely support so that their travel difficulties can be resolved and they can proceed with their pilgrimage without further hardship.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is regarded as one of the most significant religious pilgrimages for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the Bon faith, attracting thousands of devotees every year. 

The pilgrimage requires travellers to obtain multiple clearances and travel documents, including permits issued by the Chinese authorities for entry into the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Meanwhile, the official Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for 2026 has already commenced. On June 20, the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage crossed into China through the India-China border at Nathu La Pass, marking the formal beginning of this year's yatra under the approved arrangements.