A Chinese soldier at the Nathu La mountain pass that connects Sikkim with Tibet. The Nathu La route to Mount Kailash was launched in 2015 and is the less arduous of the two possible routes ...Image by Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters
China closed the gates on Kailash pilgrims at Nathu La accusing Indian troops of violating the border in Sikkim Image by Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters
The Kailash Mansarovar yatra is an arduous high altitude trek through a surreal terrain Image by Aleksey Dovgan / Reuters
At 5,600 metres, the weather around Dolma La Pass is unpredictable, making it the toughest pass to cross in the pilgrimage Image by Alexander Verevkin / Shutterstock.com
For those who cannot trek on foot, there is the option of hiring sturdy, dependable yaks called Nor (meaning wealth) in the local language Image by Shutterstock.com
Ritual structures hint at the esoteric practices of the monks at Gyantak monastery Image by Alexander Verevkin / Shutterstock.com
Cloud and light slithers and shift-shapes mountains along the pilgrims&rsquo path Image by Belozorova Elena / Shutterstock.com
The iridescent blue Mansarovar or &lsquoLake of the Mind&rsquo is said to have been born in the mind of the Creator before its manifestation here on earth Image by Lihana / Shutterstock.com
Tibetan buddhists circumambulate Mount Kailash performing full body prostrations along the way. It takes about four weeks Image by Yongyut Kumsri / Shutterstock.com
An eagle soars from a craggy outcrop called the Axe of Karma, an emblem of the King of DeathImage by Belozorova Elena / Shutterstock.com
