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New Delhi: With the arrival of the holy month of Sawan, a unique confluence of devotion, joy, and the saffron color is evident across North India. The Kanwar Yatra, considered the most auspicious and sacred for devotees of Lord Shiva, is about to begin. From a religious perspective, this ritual is considered highly fruitful and bestows eternal virtue. Also known as the “Jal Yatra,” this journey is accompanied by chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev.”

Date of commencement and consecration

According to the Hindu calendar, the grand Kanwar Yatra officially begins with the beginning of the holy month of Sawan (Shravan). In 2026, the Kanwar Yatra begins on Thursday, July 30th, the first day of Sawan, and will last for a total of 13 days. On this auspicious occasion, devotees will begin collecting Ganga water from the banks of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gomukh, and other holy rivers starting July 30th. The main objective of the Yatra is to perform the ritualistic Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva in their local Shiva temples on the auspicious occasion of Sawan Shivratri on Tuesday, August 11th, 2026, with which devotees will complete their rituals and fast.

Why did the tradition of offering water begin?

According to mythological beliefs, when the deadly poison “Kalakut” emerged during the churning of the ocean, Lord Shiva swallowed it to save the universe from destruction. The poison’s effect turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelkanth, and his body temperature soared. To soothe Shiva’s burning sensation, the gods and Ravana, a devoted devotee of Lord Shiva, brought water from the holy Ganges River and anointed Lord Shiva with it. The cool water brought relief to Lord Shiva. Since then, the sacred tradition of anointing Shiva with Ganga water and undertaking the Kanwar Yatra has been prevalent every year during the month of Sawan.

Why is the period from 3 to 11 August very special?

The period between August 3rd and August 11th will be the most important and crucial phase of the entire pilgrimage. This is because August 3rd is the first Monday of Sawan, and August 11th is Sawan Shivratri. During this special nine-day period, the roads will see the highest number of Kanwariyas returning with Ganga water from Haridwar and other holy places. As all the devotees move rapidly towards their destinations, major roads, national highways, and local Shiva temples will be crowded with devotees.

Traffic diversion and public advice

For the safety and convenience of the millions of pilgrims on foot, the administration closes several major highways and roads. Due to route diversions in place, ordinary travelers may face heavy traffic jams. If you are traveling during this time, plan your journey based on the traffic advisories issued by the local administration.