The Kanwar Yatra is a spiritually significant journey undertaken by millions of devotees every year. Since Kanwariyas often travel long distances on foot and pass through crowded routes, highways, railway stations, camps and pilgrimage areas, being prepared for an emergency is extremely important.
Before starting your journey, save the important Kanwariya emergency contacts on your phone and, if possible, write them down somewhere as well. Your phone may run out of battery, lose network connectivity or become damaged during the journey.
Here are some important emergency numbers every Kanwariya should know.
1. Police Emergency – 112
112 is India’s unified emergency number. It can be used to seek emergency assistance from police and other emergency services.
If you face situations such as:
- Theft or robbery
- Violence or fighting
- Missing person
- Serious security problem
- Road accident
- Immediate danger
call 112.
Save it as Police / Emergency – 112 in your phone.
2. Ambulance – 108
Medical emergencies can happen during the Kanwar Yatra because of dehydration, exhaustion, injuries, accidents or other health problems.
For an ambulance in areas where the service is available, you can call 108.
When calling for medical assistance, clearly provide:
- Your location
- Nearest landmark
- Nature of the emergency
- Number of people requiring help
If you are travelling in a group, make sure at least two people know how to contact emergency medical services.
3. National Emergency Number – 112
If you aren’t sure which emergency service you need, 112 can be used as the general emergency number.
For example, if there is a serious accident and you need both police assistance and medical help, calling 112 can be an appropriate first step.
4. Women Helpline – 181
Women travelling as Kanwariyas or accompanying family members should keep the 181 Women Helpline saved.
It can be useful when assistance is required because of:
- Harassment
- Safety concerns
- Domestic violence
- Other situations involving women’s safety
Availability and local implementation can vary by state, so keep the relevant state helpline information saved as well.
5. Child Helpline – 1098
If a child becomes separated from parents or guardians during the journey, 1098 is an important number to remember.
Crowded Kanwar routes can make it easy for children to become separated from their families. Parents should consider putting an identification card or contact information in a child’s pocket or bag.
6. Railway Emergency Assistance
Many Kanwariyas use trains to reach pilgrimage destinations or return home.
If you are travelling by train and face an emergency, seek help from railway staff, Railway Protection Force personnel or Government Railway Police.
You can also use the official railway grievance/emergency channels available through RailMadad.
Before travelling, save important information such as your:
- Train number
- PNR
- Boarding station
- Destination
- Emergency contact details
7. Local Police and District Administration
The most useful contacts during the Kanwar Yatra may sometimes be local, route-specific numbers.
District administrations and police departments along major Kanwar routes may establish special:
- Kanwar Yatra control rooms
- Helplines
- Traffic assistance numbers
- Medical camps
- Lost-and-found centres
- Police assistance booths
Because these numbers can change from one year and district to another, check the official district police or administration website/social media channels before beginning your journey.
Don’t rely only on an old WhatsApp message or a number found on an unofficial website.
Emergency Information Every Kanwariya Should Keep
Emergency numbers are useful, but knowing your location is equally important.
While travelling, keep track of:
1. Nearest landmark
Know the name of the nearest temple, camp, petrol pump, railway station, village or major road.
2. Route name
Know which Kanwar route you are currently travelling on.
3. District and state
This can help emergency services identify your location more quickly.
4. Group leader’s phone number
If you’re travelling in a group, everyone should have the leader’s number.
5. Family emergency contact
Save at least one family member as an emergency contact.
What to Do If Someone Gets Lost
Large crowds can make it difficult to locate a missing family member or friend.
If someone becomes separated:
- Don’t panic.
- Call the person’s phone.
- Return to the last agreed meeting point if it is safe.
- Contact nearby police or Kanwar Yatra assistance booths.
- Provide a recent photograph and identifying information.
- If the person is a child, elderly person or vulnerable individual, seek police assistance immediately.
It’s a good idea to establish a fixed meeting point before starting the journey.
What to Do During a Medical Emergency
If a Kanwariya becomes seriously ill or injured:
- Move them away from traffic and crowds if it is safe.
- Contact emergency medical services.
- Inform nearby medical camps or police personnel.
- Keep the person hydrated if they are conscious and able to drink.
- Do not give medication unless you know it is appropriate.
- Provide emergency personnel with information about any known medications or allergies if available.
For serious symptoms such as unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or major bleeding, seek professional medical assistance immediately.
Save These Numbers Before Starting Your Kanwar Yatra
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| National Emergency | 112 |
| Ambulance / Emergency Medical Service | 108 |
| Women Helpline | 181 |
| Child Helpline | 1098 |
| Railway assistance | RailMadad / Railway staff |
| Local Kanwar Yatra Control Room | Check official district administration |
Important: Emergency service availability and local helpline numbers can vary by state and district. Verify route-specific numbers from official government, police or district administration sources before your journey.
Final Safety Tips for Kanwariyas
Before leaving home, make sure you:
- Fully charge your phone.
- Carry a power bank.
- Save emergency numbers offline.
- Share your travel plan with family.
- Carry identification.
- Keep some emergency cash.
- Note your group’s contact numbers.
- Stay hydrated and take regular rest.
- Follow traffic and police instructions.
- Avoid overcrowded or restricted areas.
- Keep children and elderly family members close.
- Follow announcements from local authorities.
A few minutes of preparation can make a major difference when an emergency occurs.
Save the important numbers now, share them with your Kanwar Yatra group, and travel safely. Har Har Mahadev!