Lipulekh Pass

Lipulekh La, Lipulekh Pass or Lipu Gad as called in Kumaoni is a Himalayan pass at the border between Kumaon, India and Tibet region held by China. The Old Lipulekh Peak or Old Lipulekh Pass, a Mount Kailash viewing point at 17,500 ft elevation, lies west of Lipulekh Pass. The Lipulekh pass is near the trading town of Taklakot (Purang) in Tibet and has been used since ancient times by traders, mendicants and pilgrims transiting between India and Tibet. It is also used by pilgrims to Kailas and Manasarovar. It is reached by the Pithoragarh-Lipulekh Pass Highway (PLPH), and a spur from Nabhidhang (Nabidhang) runs along a glaciated river to Om Parvat. Mount Kailash in Tibet can be viewed from India from the Old Lipulekh Peak (via NH-9 motorable till the pass) which lies northeast of Gunji and the Limpiyadhura Pass (via Kuthi Valley) which lies northwest of Gunji. The Kali River (Sharda River) rises from the Limpiyadhura northeast of Gunji and flows by the KMVN Huts (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam resort) at Nabhidhang (a fork route from Nabhidhang goes southeast along the glaciated rivulet to Om Parvat), ITBP Base Camp, Indian Forest Police Checkpost to Gunji.

Tourism

This pass links the Pithoragarh district India with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and forms the last territorial point in India's territory. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hinduism pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, traverses this pass. Lipulekh pass is connected to Chang Lobochahela, near the old trading town of Purang (Taklakot), in Tibet.

See also

• Nathu La
• Shipki La
• Pithoragarh district

References

Bibliography

• Walton, H. G., ed. (1911), Almora: A Gazetteer, District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, vol. 35, Government Press, United Provinces – via archive.org

External links

• Photographs of the Lipulekh Pass