The sacred Kanwar Yatra is one of the largest religious pilgrimages dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the holy month of Shravan, thousands of devotees from different parts of Uttarakhand travel to the holy city of Haridwar to collect sacred water from the Ganga River.
Devotees, popularly known as Kanwariyas, carry decorated bamboo structures called Kanwar on their shoulders while walking barefoot to Haridwar. Many pilgrims come from nearby towns such as Rishikesh, Roorkee, and Dehradun. They reach the famous Har Ki Pauri ghat to collect the holy Ganga water. The entire route becomes vibrant with saffron-clad devotees chanting “Bol Bam” and singing devotional songs.
Along the pilgrimage route, volunteers and local organizations set up camps that provide food, water, medical aid, and resting places for the Kanwariyas. The journey is filled with devotion, discipline, and spiritual energy.
After collecting the sacred Ganga Jal from Haridwar, the devotees return to their hometowns and perform Jal Abhishek on Shiva Lingams in temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Kanwar Yatra from Uttarakhand to Haridwar represents deep faith, unity, and the timeless tradition of devotion among Shiva followers.
