Kanwar Yatra 2023: Know commencement date, routes, guidelines, other details

Kanwar Yatra 2023: The 'Kanwar Yatra' is an annual pilgrimage for Lord Shiva's devotees. The Kanwariyas visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch the holy water of River Ganga and then worship the God with the same water. 

Also Read: 5 Vande Bharat Express: PM Modi flags off special trains; check timings, routes, ticket price    

Kanwar Yatra 2023: Commencement Date 

The holy month of Sawan is starting on 4 July. This year due to Adhimas, the month of Shravan is two months in duration. The festivals of Shravani Shivratri, Nagpanchami and Rakshabandhan will be celebrated during this period. 

The traditional Kanwar Yatra will take place in the month of Sawan. Monday worship also has special importance during this period

Kanwar Yatra 2023: 'Jalabhishek' of Lord Shiva

Even before the commencement of the Kanwar Yatra on July 4, a large number of Kanwariyas (devotees) have already reached Gangotri and Gomukh to take holy water from the Ganga river for 'Jalabhishek' of Lord Shiva.

In the last four days, about one thousand Shiva devotees have returned from Gangotri and Gomukh after collecting Gangajaal. Shiva devotees will offer water to Lord Shiva on July 15, the Shivratri of Sawan month.

Kanwar Yatra 2023: Routes  

During the Kanwar Yatra, a green corridor will be made for the kanwariyas from Haridwar City to Gurukul Narsan, adjacent to the border of Uttar Pradesh, said Haridwar district authorities.   

Apart from the Kanwar track, one side of the highway will be reserved for Kanwar passengers.

"A two-lane side of the highway from Haridwar to Gurukul Narasan will be reserved for kanwariyas so that there is no problem in carrying water for the kanwariyas during the last days of the Kanwar Yatra," Haridwar District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbiyal said. 

"Kanwariyas are requested not to make 'kanwars' higher than 12 feet to avoid accidents and not cause noise pollution. This time, the police will pay special attention to those who ride motorcycles without silencers", the commissioner added.

Kanwar Yatra 2023: Preparations  

• There should be no sale and purchase of meat in the open anywhere on the Kanwar Yatra route. 

• Cleanliness-sanitization should be maintained on the yatra route

• Arrangements for drinking water should also be made along the route. Wherever food camps are held, the team must check the quality of food items. 

• Kanwar administration deployed divers on the basis of past experiences, and directed that CCTVs should be installed on the Kanwar Yatra route. 

• The places for setting up of Kanwar camps should be marked in advance so that traffic is not obstructed.

 Kanwar Yatra 2023: Guidelines

• Kanwar Yatris to carry their government-issued ID card with them during the Kanwar Yatra 2023.

• Kanwariyas are requested not to make 'kanwars' higher than 12 feet to avoid accidents. 

• Motorcycles should be without silencers

• Weapons or sticks, trishul, spears are not allowed.

• Music or DJ is not banned but volume should be controlled.

• Ban on sale and purchase of meat or chicken. 

- With inputs from agencies

Join Whatsapp Channel