kanwar yatra 2026Image Credit source: PTI
History of Kanwar Yatra: The month of Sawan of the year 2026 is just around the corner. According to the Drik Panchang, this year the holy Kanwar Yatra i.e. the month of Sawan is going to start from 30th July 2026. At the same time, Sawan will end with Sawan Purnima on 28 August 2026. For Shiva devotees, this journey will be completed on 11 August 2026 with the Jalabhishek of Mahadev on the day of Saavan Shivratri. On this auspicious occasion of Sawan, let us understand in very simple language what is Kanwar Yatra, where is it organized and who lifted Kanwar for the first time in history.
What is Kanwar Yatra?
Kanwar Yatra It is a religious journey dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this journey, devotees of Shiva reach the banks of Ganga or other holy rivers, take bath there and fill water in the Kalash. After this, they tie that water in a kanwar and carry it on their shoulders and walk on foot to reach the Shiva temple of their area. There one gets the blessings of Lord Bholenath by offering water on Shivling. Kanwar is usually made of bamboo or wood, which is decorated with colorful flags and flowers. Then urns filled with water are hung at both its ends.
Why is Kanwar Yatra special in Sawan?
There is a religious belief that the month of Sawan is the favorite month of Lord Shiva. The puja, fast and Jalabhishek done during this period yield manifold results. It is said that Lord Shiva becomes pleased even by offering just one pot of water. This is the reason why lakhs of devotees undertake arduous journeys to bring Ganga water and offer it on Shivalinga.
Where does Kanwar Yatra take place?
Kanwar Yatra is taken out in many states of the country, but it has special significance in North India. A large number of devotees come out with Ganga water from Haridwar, Gangotri and Gomukh of Uttarakhand. Apart from this, Kanwar Yatra is also organized on a large scale in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. However, the tradition of carrying water from Haridwar to the Shiva temples of Meerut, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida, Agra, Aligarh, Kanpur and other cities is quite famous.
Kanwar Yatra File Photo: PTI
What is the story of Ajgaibinath and Jhanvi Ganga?
According to mythological beliefs, when Bhagiratha was bringing Ganga to earth to save the 60 thousand sons of King Sagar, the penance of sage Jhanvi in Ajgabinath area was broken by the strong current of Ganga. Enraged, the sage drank the entire Ganga. Later, on the request of Bhagiratha, he made the Ganga flow again from his thigh. For this reason Ganga is also known by the name Jhanvi here. This story is still very popular among the devotees.
Who did the Kanwar Yatra first?
According to religious beliefs, Lord Shri Ram is considered to be the first Kanwariya. It is said that he filled Ganga water from Sultanganj and offered it to Baba Baidyanath in Deoghar. It is believed that the tradition of Kanwar Yatra started from here. This is the reason that even today during Sawan, lakhs of Kanwariyas follow the same tradition and perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva with Ganga water.
Also read: Kanwar Yatra 2026: When will the Kanwar Yatra take place this year? Know on which day Mahadev’s consecration will take place
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
