Kanwar Yatra 2025 Dates

 

• Start Date: July 11, 2025 (Friday) – First day of Shravan month
• End Date: August 9, 2025 (Saturday) – Shravan Purnima

Some traditions conclude the Yatra on July 23, coinciding with Sawan Shivratri, the most auspicious day for Jalabhishek.

Spiritual Significance

• The Kanwar Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanwariyas.
• Devotees collect Ganga Jal (holy water) from sacred rivers like Haridwar, Gangotri, Gaumukh, and Sultanganj, and carry it in kanwars (bamboo poles with pots) to offer on Shivlings in temples across India.
• The ritual commemorates the Samudra Manthan episode, where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison Halahala and was cooled by Ganga water.

Rituals and Code of Conduct

• Walk barefoot, chant “Bol Bam” or “Har Har Mahadev”
• Do not place the Kanwar on the ground—use a wooden plank or cloth
• Observe celibacy and sattvic lifestyle—no meat, alcohol, garlic, or onions
• Avoid leather products and maintain ritual purity
• Perform Jalabhishek (ritual water offering) on the Shivling at your destination temple

Major Routes and Destinations

• Haridwar to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (Uttarakhand) – ~55 km
• Gangotri/Gaumukh Route – For experienced pilgrims, includes glacier trekking
• Sultanganj (Bihar) to Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) – ~105 km barefoot
• Rishikesh, Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Ajgaibinath (Bihar) – Other key destinations

Types of Kanwariyas

• General Kanwariyas – Walk with rest stops
• Dak Kanwariyas – Run without stopping
• Khari Kanwar – Never place the Kanwar down
• Dandi Kanwar – Travel by performing full-body prostrations (Dandavat Pranam)

Safety & Administrative Measures

• Traffic diversions in cities like Meerut, Delhi, and Haridwar
• Drone surveillance, medical camps, and rest shelters
• Liquor and meat shops closed along the route
• Strict enforcement of discipline and noise limits