'Shiv bhakt' Rahul Gandhi set to undertake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

NEW DELHI: Several months after he expressed his desire to visit Kailash Mansarovar – the abode of Lord Shiva - Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to undertake the pilgrimage on Friday.

Though the details about Rahul Gandhi's Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage have not been shared by the Congress party as yet, the sources claim that he is likely to go on pilgrimage 31via the China route starting from Nepal to Mount Kailash.

The ruling BJP has, meanwhile, criticised Rahul Gandhi for his ''sudden love for China.'' The Gandhi scion had earlier courted a controversy by meeting the Chinese envoy late in the night during the Doklam standoff with Beijing. He was slammed for not discussing the Doklam matter with the either the Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary or the National Security Advisor, and instead preferring to meet the Chinese officials in a clandestine manner.   

Rahul Gandhi has left for China via Nepal. Rahul ji has an obsession for China. Why is it that Mr Gandhi always wants to get a Chinese view on everything but does not want to have an Indian perspective? Which politicians will he meet there? BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked. 

Rahul Gandhi has left for China via Nepal. Rahul ji has an obsession for China. Why is it that Mr. Gandhi always wants to get a Chinese view on everything but does not want to have an Indian perspective? Which politicians will he meet there? : Sambit Patra,BJP pic.twitter.com/8c2Un2QssC — ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2018

The Congress president is expected to complete his journey by September 12.

The Gandhi scion had first announced his intention at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on April 29 while addressing the 'Aakrosh' rally. Calling himself a 'Shiv bhakt' (Lord Shiva’s devotee), the Congress president said that he wanted to thank Lord Shiva and shared his frightening experience which he had on a plane.

“A few days ago, we were on our way to Karnataka on an aircraft. And the aircraft suddenly came down by 8,000 feet. I thought gaadi gayi [that it was all over]. At that moment, it struck my mind that I have to go to Kailash Mansarovar,” Rahul Gandhi had said at the 'Aakrosh' rally.

Interestingly, the timing of Rahul Gandhi's Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has a political significance since it comes just ahead of crucial assembly elections in three states - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

A visit to Mount Kailash - considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva - carries political significance and is expected to improve Rahul Gandhi and his party's image across the majority Hindu voters.

In view of BJP's criticism of Congress for being a party that only believes in minority appeasement,  Rahul Gandhi had in the recent times visited several places of worship, especially temples, during the run-up to assembly elections in Gujarat and Karnataka – a move that was seen as a course correction by the party.

He had previously called himself a janeu-dhari (sacred thread wearing) Brahmin and a devotee of Lord Shiva during the Gujarat elections.