Pithoragarh, Aug. 24 -- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district concluded on Sunday after the 44-member of the 10th and final batch of pilgrims crossed into Indian territory at 9.20 am, officials said. The pilgrims were brought directly to the base camp in Dharchula in view of the sensitive condition of the road following recent rains, said Dhan Singh Bisht, in-charge of the base camp of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency for the pilgrimage. "Due to the sensitive road condition following rains, we called the batch directly to the base camp. Otherwise, it would have stayed at the Bundi camp today," Bisht said. Total 477 pilgrims, including 154 women, participated in this year's Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, according to KMVN officials. The pilgrimage began on July 5 and concluded on Sunday. The yatra through Lipulekh Pass has a long history, having resumed in 1981 after a prolonged suspension. However, the pilgrimage remained suspended from 2019 to 2024, with the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions preventing its conduct during the period. The completion of this year's pilgrimage comes amid challenging weather and road conditions in the border areas of Pithoragarh district. Recent rainfall has affected several stretches of roads, prompting authorities to closely monitor the movement of pilgrims and, where necessary, alter their scheduled halt points for safety. The Lipulekh route is one of the designated routes for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, which attracts devotees from India seeking to undertake the arduous journey to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar....