Photo of the pilgrim, Beena Gupta who died on her way back from the Yatra
A Delhi-based pilgrim who was on her way back from the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China died after she fell sick today, police said.
Beena Gupta, 54, part of the first batch of pilgrims, who undertook the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on June 8, died when she was nearly three kilometres away from the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.
"The body was handed over to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) by Chinese officials in the morning today," said Pithoragarh district magistrate Sushil Kumar Sharma.
"Due to inclement weather in the hill-state, her body is yet to be transported via helicopter to Haldwani where it will be handed over to her brother Vinod Gupta and other family members," added Mr Sharma.
Kailash Mansarovar is believed to be the seat of Hindu god Shiva. Pilgrims travel at high altitudes of 19,500 feet. The traditional trekking route is inhospitable and rugged.
Hundreds go on the pilgrimage every year, with a part of the journey overseen by Chinese authorities.