New route for Kailash Mansarovar yatra

 The Centre has charted a new route for the annual Kailash Mansarovar yatra this year due to landslides that occur generally in the old path.

Pilgrims, on their arrival at Almora, will now be sent to Chaukori via Bageswar, instead of Pithoragarh, the route used earlier.

"These changes have been made as the route from Almora to Chaukori via Bageswar has been found safe compared to the previous route where frequent landslides generally occur during the pilgrimage period," A S Nayal, Managing Director of Kumaun Mandal Vikash Nigam, said.

Nayal had attended a review meeting on the yatra's preparation in New Delhi on Friday.Dharchula, Sirkha, Gala, Bundi and Gunji are other places that are part of the yatra circuit, he said.

The yatra will begin on June 1 and 16 batches of pilgrims will be sent like in previous years.

"Due to the new route chart, pilgrims will not only be able to visit ancient temples of Someswar and Baijnath Kosi Garur.

'They will, however, be able to perform puja at Jageswar Dham which was not part of earlier yatras," said Nayal.