Kanwad Yatra 2024: When will the Kanwad Yatra start, what rules have to be followed?

In Hinduism, the month of Sawan is considered extremely fruitful to please Bholenath and the Kanwar Yatra is performed in Sawan. In which the devotees of Lord Shiva bring Ganga water in Kanwar and perform the Abhishek of Shivling on Sawan Shivratri.

Kanwar Yatra 2024: With the beginning of the month of Sawan in Hinduism, the Kanwar Yatra also begins. Along with Sawan, a lot of enthusiasm is seen among Shiva devotees regarding the Kanwar Yatra. Every year lakhs of Kanwariyas take Gangajal from Haridwar and go to the Shiva temples in their area and perform Jalabhishek of Shivling. Many important rules have been mentioned in the scriptures regarding the Kanwar Yatra, which is very important to be followed during the journey. There has been no relaxation in the rules of Kanwar Yatra and if these are broken, Lord Shiva can also get angry.

It is believed that Bholenath's special blessings are showered on those who complete the Kanwar Yatra. Thousands and lakhs of people set out on the Kanwar Yatra on foot to offer water to Lord Shiva, carrying Kanwar. This year the Kanwar Yatra will start from 22 July 2024 and will end on Sawan Shivratri on 2 August 2024. The Kanwar Yatra is considered similar to a pilgrimage, which people wait for the whole year.

How does the Kanwar Yatra take place?

In the month of Sawan, Shiva devotees fill the Kalash with Gangajal on the banks of Ganga and tie it on a Kanwar and hang it on their shoulders and bring it to the Shiva temple in their area and offer Gangajal on the Shivling. According to the scriptures, Lord Parshuram was the first to start the Kanwar Yatra. Parshuram brought Gangajal from Garhmukteshwar Dham and anointed 'Pura Mahadev' located near Baghpat in UP with Gangajal. Since then, the tradition of doing Kanwar Yatra has been going on.

rules of kanwar yatra

The devotees who do the Kanwar Yatra are called Kanwadia. The devotees who go on the Kanwar Yatra have to follow special rules during this time. During this time all Shiva devotees have to travel on foot. During the journey, the devotees have to eat satvik food. Also, the Kanwar is not kept on the ground while resting. By doing this the Kanwar Yatra is considered incomplete.

During the Kanwar Yatra, devotees should not consume any kind of intoxicants, meat, alcohol or non-vegetarian food. The Kanwar Yatra is done completely on foot. The journey is done on foot from the beginning till the end. No vehicle is used in the journey. Only water from the Ganges or any holy river is kept in the Kanwar, not from any well or pond. The Kanwar should always be touched only after taking a bath and care should be taken that the Kanwar or your skin does not touch it during the journey. The Kanwariyas should always stay with the group.

During the Kanwar Yatra, it should be kept in mind that if you are staying somewhere, do not keep the Kanwar on the ground or any platform. Always keep the Kanwar hanging on a stand or branch. If by mistake the Kanwar is kept on the ground, then holy water has to be filled in the Kanwar again. While doing the Kanwar Yatra, one should keep chanting Bam Bam Bhole or Jai Jai Shiv Shankar throughout the way. Also, it should be kept in mind that the Kanwar should not be carried over anyone.