Times of India
NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 24, 2003: It has been officially announced that the Kailash Mansarovar yatra has been postponed indefinitely due to the closure of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). The Indian government was informed by the Chinese authorities that they were not allowing any tourists into the TAR in an effort to keep the area SARS free. Therefore, the yatra which passes through the Lipulekh pass, has been postponed till the Chinese government opens up the route. Normally, the yatra begins in mid-June and continues till September with approximately 14 groups of pilgrims being sent every week. Announcing the postponement of the yatra, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday that the draw for the selection of yatris was also being postponed. The draw would be held once there was confirmation of the yatra and the number of batches and the yatris would be adjusted according to the amount of delay.