The auspicious month of Sawan 2025 began on July 11, marking the start of Kanwar Yatra. The annual pilgrimage holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. The spiritual journey, also known as Kawad Yatra, involves carrying sacred water from the Ganges River and offering it to Lord Shiva temples, majorly at Baidyanath, Jharkhand, Haridwar and Uttarakhand. Also known as ‘Kavad,’ the annual journey entails several days of walking barefoot to appease the Lord. Kanwar Yatra 2025 started on July 11, the first day of the Hindu month of Sawan and will end on July 23 on Shivratri. In this article, we bring you Kanwar Yatra 2025 start and end dates, significance, routes, rituals and important guidelines of the pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Kanwar Yatra 2025 Start and End Dates

Kanwar Yatra 2025 commenced on July 11, the first day of Sawan and will end on July 23.

Kanwar Yatra Significance and Rituals

Kanwar Yatra, often known as Kawad Yatra, is a deeply ingrained tradition, a testament to unwavering faith and devotion. During the auspicious month of Shravan, devotees embark on a pilgrimage, walking hundreds of kilometres, often barefoot, to collect the holy water from the river Ganga and offer it to Lord Shiva. It’s a profound spiritual odyssey and a remarkable display of community spirit. The term ‘Kanwar’ refers to a special carrying apparatus, typically a bamboo pole, with pots filled with Ganga water. The pole is balanced on the pilgrim’s shoulder. Sawan 2025 Festivals Calendar: Raksha Bandhan, Nag Panchami, Haryali Teej and More, Check Dates of Auspicious Hindu Festivals Celebrated in Shravan Maas. 

The core ritual of the Kanwar Yatra is to collect Gangajal from the River Ganga and offer the holy water to Lord Shiva, to perform ‘Jalabhishek,’ a ritualistic offering of water to the Shiva Lingam. Kanwar Yatra is a grand spectacle of faith, resilience and unity. The routes come alive with devotees and the resounding chant of ‘Bol Bam.’

Kanwar Yatra Routes and Important Guidelines

Kanwar Yatra includes multiple significant routes, with Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri serving as major beginning sites. Devotees collect the sacred Ganga water at these spots and travel to other Shiv temples. The Haridwar route takes worshippers from Haridwar to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh or the Pura Mahadeva Temple in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. Some also visit Gaumukh to collect Ganga Jal and then travel to their desired destinations. Gagotri is another sacred destination where pilgrims carry water to the temples, such as Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. There are other sacred places too, where devotees bring Gangajal and then travel to their destination to perform Jalaabhishekam to Shiva Lingam.

Devotees must maintain personal cleanliness and carry essential medical supplies during the journey. They should also obey driving laws, avoid obstructing the general public, maintain decorum, and follow other important guidelines during the Yatra.

The historical roots of the Kanwar Yatra are deeply embedded in the Hindu mythology and ancient traditions, making it a pilgrimage steeped in historical and spiritual significance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 11, 2025 11:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).