The holy month of Sawan commenced on July 11, 2025, marking the start of the Kanwar Yatra, one of India’s largest spiritual pilgrimages.
At Dashashwamedh Ghat in Prayagraj, thousands of saffron-clad Kanwariyas gathered to take ritual dips in the Ganga and collect sacred water for their journey to Shiva temples across North India.
This year, authorities anticipate over 5 million devotees participating nationwide, with Prayagraj alone expecting 500,000 pilgrims over the next two weeks.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Kanwariyas take holy dip and collect holy water from Dashashwamedh Ghat in Prayagraj as Kanwar Yatra begins with the commencement of the holy month of Sawan. pic.twitter.com/g1akvA30Xu
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2025
The district administration has implemented a multi-layered security plan, deploying:
- 1,000+ police personnel across 17 sectors and 3 super zones
- 550 CCTV cameras, 3 drones, and 12 mobile pickets
- Jal Police teams, divers, and barricades at major ghats including Sangam, Saraswati, and Arail
“We’ve ensured sanitation, lighting, and crowd control at all major collection points,” said DM Ravindra Kumar Mandar. “Dashashwamedh Ghat is fully prepared to welcome Kanwariyas.”
The 57-km Prayagraj–Varanasi route has been divided into zones for traffic management and medical support. Emergency teams, ambulances, and rest camps have been stationed at strategic points to assist pilgrims.
The Kanwar Yatra, rooted in devotion to Lord Shiva, involves carrying Gangajal in decorated bamboo structures called kanwars.
Devotees walk barefoot or in groups, chanting “Bol Bam” as they journey toward temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Neelkanth Mahadev, and Baba Baidyanath Dham.
The pilgrimage will culminate on Sawan Shivratri, July 23, when Gangajal is offered to Shiva lingams in a ritual known as Jalabhishek.
