The first batch of pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2018 has been flagged off from Gangtok by the Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, S C Gupta on Saturday.
This is the fourth year of the pilgrimage tour from Sikkim.
The first batch of 33 pilgrims, including 24 male and nine female, of this year has arrived late Friday evening and have been accompanied by two liaison officers.
The pilgrims will stay for two days at 15th Mile and then again two days at Sherathang for acclimatization.
Then there will be the final medical check of pilgrims at Nathula on June 20 before moving ahead in the yatra.
On the occasion, the Additional Chief Secretary welcomed the yatris to Sikkim and expressed his best wishes for a successful and blessed journey.
He stressed upon the importance to follow rules and regulations and to cooperate with each other and the supporting staff during the tour.
The flagging off ceremony was also attended by ITBP DIG KD Dwivedi as the special guest, Secretary to Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, CP Dhakal, special secretary to Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Namrata Thapa and State Tourism Development Corporation CEO, Suman Thapa among other dignitaries.