Major Kanwar routes and holy places - Major stops of the pilgrimage of faith

Every year as soon as the month of Sawan arrives, a unique and faith-filled wave runs across the country - of Kanwar Yatra. Saffron Kanwar on the shoulder, light of Shiva devotion in the eyes and fatigue of countless miles in the feet… but only one goal in the heart - to perform Jal Abhishek of Bholenath.

• But have you ever wondered which route these Kanwariyas walk?
• From where do they fill Ganga water?
• And at which holy places do they perform Jalabhishek?

Let us know the major Kanwar routes and pilgrimage sites of India, passing through which every devotee reaches closer to Shiva.

Haridwar - the largest Kanwar center

• Lakhs of Kanwariyas reach Haridwar from many states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Taking Gangajal from here, they go to their respective Shivalayas via Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Mathura.
• This is considered to be the most crowded and well-organized Kanwar route.
• This journey is done on foot for about 200 kilometers.

👉 This is the longest Kanwar Yatra on foot in the country. Organizing Kanwar fairs in Haridwar, Bhajan Mandali, and Seva Camps color the entire route with devotion.

Gangotri – Ganga born in the lap of Shiva

• Devotees who want an adventurous and difficult journey fill Kanwar from Gangotri.
• Taking water from here, people proceed towards their destination via Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rishikesh.

👉 This route is long and hilly, but it is believed that Mother Ganga originated from here, hence its importance is special.

Gaumukh – A difficult journey that touches the soul

• It is not easy to reach Gaumukh.
• Crossing the snowy mountains and glaciers, Shiva devotees fill Gangajal from here.

👉 Only those Kanwariyas who are completely dedicated in mind, body and soul, take this route. It is considered as the 'path of intense penance'.

Sultanganj (Bihar) – Deoghar Kanwar Yatra

• Shiv bhakts of Bihar and Jharkhand take water from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath (Deoghar) with Kanwar.
• This journey is done on foot for about 105 kilometers.

👉 This is considered to be one of the longest Kanwar Yatra on foot in the country. Here water is not taken directly from the Ganges, but from the Uttarvahini Ganga.

Nashik Trimbakeshwar – Maharashtra's Aastha Marg

• Devotees of Maharashtra take water from the Godavari river like Gangajal and go to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.

👉 Although this is not the traditional Gangajal, there is no difference in devotion. Because when the feeling is true, even the water becomes pure.

Emotional conclusion:

Kanwar Yatra is not an ordinary journey. It is a religious penance, physical courage and a call of the inner soul.

Every route, every halt, every camp not only brings fatigue, but also a feeling -
"I have come closer to Bholenath."

#KanwarYatra #BolBam #HarHarMahadev #ShivBhakti #KanwarMarg #DevgharYatra #GangotriToShiva #SawanSpecial #FaithWalk #BhaktiMeinShakti