Kanwar Yatra 2025 Begins Today: Why Devotees Carry the Kanwar and Its Spiritual Significance
As the sacred month of Shravan begins, so does the annual Kanwar Yatra — a journey deeply rooted in devotion and spiritual discipline. This auspicious pilgrimage, dedicated to Lord Shiva, officially starts today, Friday, July 11, 2025, and will continue until Sawan Shivratri.
Each year, during this time, millions of Shiva devotees (Kanwariyas) from across India embark on a journey on foot to fetch holy water from the Ganga river from places like Haridwar, Gangotri, and Gaumukh. Carrying ornately decorated Kanwars (bamboo yokes with pots of Ganga water), these devotees return to their hometowns and perform Jalabhishek (ritual water offering) on the Shivling in their local temples, especially on Sawan Shivratri.
What is the Kanwar Yatra?
The Kanwar Yatra is more than just a physical journey—it’s a spiritual offering of faith, penance, and devotion. Observed during the month of Shravan, which holds immense significance in Hinduism, this ritual is believed to earn the special blessings of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, perform rituals, chant mantras, and walk long distances as an act of devotion and self-purification.
Many see this as a way to express gratitude, seek forgiveness, or pray for personal or familial well-being. The collective spirit of this yatra, with chanting of “Bol Bam”, saffron attire, and temporary camps lining highways, transforms entire regions into a vibrant sea of devotion.
Why Do Devotees Carry the Kanwar?
The Kanwar — usually made of bamboo and balanced on the shoulders — is used to carry Ganga water without letting it touch the ground. This practice traces its origin to Hindu mythology, where Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed poison during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to save the universe. To alleviate the effects of the poison, devotees offered him the holy water of the Ganga.
This tradition continues today as an act of devotional service. By walking barefoot for miles and undergoing physical hardship, devotees believe they are offering their penance and devotion to Lord Shiva in its purest form.
How Long Will the Yatra Continue?
According to the Hindu calendar (Panchang), the Kanwar Yatra begins on the Pratipada Tithi (first day) of Shravan month and concludes on Shravan Shivratri, which will be observed this year on August 9, 2025. Over these four weeks, states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, and Jharkhand will witness the flow of saffron-clad pilgrims walking day and night with unshakable devotion.
As the 2025 Kanwar Yatra begins, cities are already bustling with security arrangements, traffic diversions, and spiritual preparations. More than a religious ritual, the Kanwar Yatra reflects India’s deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ethos — a reminder of faith that moves not just people but hearts.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories from the path of the Kanwariyas.
