What is Kanwar Yatra?
Must-Know Facts for First-Time Pilgrims
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India is a country of rich spiritual heritage and diverse religions. One of the fascinating religious pilgrimages takes place every year and is called Kanwar Yatra, which is undertaken by millions of devotees. So, what is Kanwar Yatra, and why is it important? If you are planning to do it for the first time, this is your guide to everything you need to know.
What is Kanwar Yatra? It's an annual pilgrimage, held in the Hindu month of Shravan (typically July–August), where Shiva devotees (known as Kanwariyas) fetch holy water from the Ganges River and carry it back to their local Shiva temples (often barefoot and walking distances of hundreds of kilometers).
They visit the temples to offer holy water to Lord Shiva, especially on the auspicious day of Shivratri during the month of Shravan. This sacred ritual is believed to bring divine blessings, cleanse the soul, and earn spiritual merit.
In 2025, Kanwar Yatra should begin around July 9 and end around July 22, with Shravan Shivratri being on July 21. These dates may vary a bit depending on the lunar calendar and some regional traditions.
While asking what is Kanwar Yatra, it is equally important to understand the travel part of what Kanwariyas do. Kanwariyas make the trip to these four places (unformatted):
Devotees usually walk to their home districts or designated temples, such as
An essential part of understanding what is Kanwar Yatra are its rituals. Devotees wear saffron clothes and carry Kanwars (decorated bamboo sticks with one pot of water tied to either end). They follow specific strictures:
Many Kanwariyas chant “Bol Bam!” during their journey as a form of respect.
If you're a new pilgrim trying to figure out what is Kanwar Yatra, then these pieces of advice will help you stay safe and comfortable.
While on the surface level, Kanwar Yatra is just a walk, to the devotee it represents an act of deep devotion, an act of endurance, and a break from worldly attachment. The arduous nature of this walk is symbolic, a form of penance, a connection to divine energy.
What is Kanwar Yatra? It is more than just a pilgrimage—it is a journey of deep faith, unwavering discipline, and personal transformation. It does not matter whether it is a few kilometers or hundreds; it is an experience that will affect both mind and soul. If this is your first time, then just go with faith, prepare yourself, and immerse yourself fully into this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
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