Nathula, June 20 -- Following the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after five years, the first batch of pilgrims was flagged off from Sikkim's Nathula on Friday. The Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, formally flagged the first batch of pilgrims from Nathula Pass.

Before they departed from Nathula, the Governor interacted with the pilgrims and wished them good health.

While flagging off the pilgrims, Governor Mathur described the resumption of this historic route as a symbol of international friendship and the restoration of Indian spiritual traditions, reflecting the faith of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain communities.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restarting the yatra and noted that it is a matte...