Gangtok, April 13: The ministry of external affairs has increased 100 seats for pilgrims going for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year.

Sikkim state tourism department secretary Chewang Zangpo said 350 pilgrims would be able to undertake Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this time, through the Nathu-la route.

The pilgrimage is organised by the ministry of external affairs from June to September through two routes - the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu-la in Sikkim.

Zangpo said, last year, there were five batches of 50 pilgrims each but this year, the number of batches had increased to seven with an increase of 100 seats.

The pilgrimage for this year would take place between June 12 and September 9. The online registration for the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will start on April 20.

"Registrations would be opened from April 20 and the applicants can apply online by logging into the ministry of external affairs, website," a senior officer said.

The travel in Sikkim would be coordinated by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation said the secretary.

The first batch with 50 pilgrims will begin of its trip on June 8 from Gangtok.

Unlike last year, there are no special quotas for Sikkimese pilgrims.