The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a stern warning to citizens planning a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, urging them not to depart until they have secured all necessary visas and entry permits for China. This advisory follows reports of dozens of Indian nationals currently stranded in Nepal, left in limbo after their tour operators failed to finalize the required travel documentation. Officials emphasized that attempting the journey without confirmed paperwork significantly increases the risk of being left abandoned, and they further advised pilgrims to thoroughly verify the credentials of their tour organizers before booking.

The pilgrimage, which holds deep spiritual importance for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, resumed in 2025 following a multi-year hiatus caused by the pandemic and regional border tensions. While the Indian government facilitates a limited number of slots through official routes, thousands of pilgrims rely on private packages via Nepal to reach the Tibetan site. With demand surging far beyond the official Chinese quotas, many travelers are turning to expensive, privately-arranged routes. As competition for access heats up, authorities are reminding devotees to prioritize legal travel protocols over unauthorized or poorly planned travel arrangements to ensure their safety and a successful journey.