Why were so many Indian pilgrims in Tibet during the Himalayan mudslide disaster?
Hundreds of Indian nationals are missing in Nepal and Tibet after a devastating Himalayan flood, among them pilgrims who had travelled to Mount Kailash, a site sacred to several religions.
Following a catastrophic flood in the Himalayas, hundreds of Indian nationals remain unaccounted for in Nepal and Tibet. As FRANCE 24's Leela Jacinto explains, a number of those missing were pilgrims taking part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage.
A site sacred to multiple faiths
Mount Kailash, located in Tibet, holds deep religious significance for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Tibetan Bon religion. This shared spiritual importance explains why large numbers of pilgrims, including many from India, travel each year to this remote and difficult-to-reach region.
Disaster puts pilgrims at risk
The Himalayan region was struck by a devastating mudslide that caused serious damage and left many people unaccounted for. Among those whose fate remains unknown are several pilgrims who had undertaken the journey to Mount Kailash for religious reasons. The situation in Nepal and Tibet is described as severe, with search efforts continuing to determine the fate of those still missing.
