Mahendra Gharat has successfully completed the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for the second time. The yatra, which began on August 10, 2025, reached its culmination on Thursday, August 21. Considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism, completing this journey bestows the title of ‘Kailashi’ upon the pilgrim.
Gharat had earlier undertaken this spiritual journey along with his wife in 2018. However, due to the Doklam standoff, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was suspended soon after. With the reopening of the pilgrimage route in June 2025, Gharat seized the opportunity to once again embark on this arduous spiritual quest.
The yatra included a three-day Kailash Parikrama starting from Darchen at dawn. The trek involved traversing glaciers, steep mountain passes, and extreme weather conditions. On the first day, Gharat covered a 14 km snow-laden trail leading to Derapuk, where the northern face of Mount Kailash offered a majestic view. The second day tested endurance with a 22 km trek across high-altitude terrain including the sacred Dolma Pass at over 18,000 feet. Many pilgrims experienced breathlessness, nausea, and exhaustion due to low oxygen levels, but Gharat and his team pressed on with devotion.
The third day covered a 6 km steep descent passing by the holy Gauri Kund, after which the trek concluded at Zutulphuk before returning to Darchen. Along the way, pilgrims witnessed breathtaking landscapes, sacred lakes, yaks, wild asses, and several Himalayan species surviving in extreme cold conditions.
For Jain pilgrims, the yatra holds additional significance due to the proximity of Ashtapad — the place where Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath) is believed to have attained moksha. Gharat also paid homage here, marking the spiritual culmination of his journey.
Expressing his feelings, Mahendrasheth Gharat said, “Completing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for the second time is a divine blessing. In 2018, I was fortunate to do this pilgrimage with my wife. This journey teaches us humility and reminds us that all beings are children of the same God. I consider myself blessed to have expressed my gratitude to Lord Shiva by undertaking this journey once again with my companions.”
Known for his active role in political and social life, Gharat is being recognized as one of the very few leaders to complete this tough pilgrimage twice, earning him the reputation of a “King of Tourism.”
