The sacred Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand is currently underway with great enthusiasm and devotion. This year, like every year, a massive influx of Shiva devotees is visible in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and surrounding areas.
Shravan 2025 Kanwar Yatra: This year's Kanwar Yatra in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has witnessed a surge of faith that has shattered all previous records. Within the first week of Sawan, over 80.9 lakh Shiva devotees filled their urns with Gangajal and departed for their respective destinations in Haridwar.
As with every year, this time too, a sea of devotees of Lord Shiva has gathered in Haridwar during the month of Shravan. From Haridwar to the Ganga canal path and highways, Shiva devotees are visible everywhere. The entire Haridwar is currently bathed in the color saffron, and the atmosphere is filled with the echoes of "Har Har Mahadev" chants.
Record-breaking numbers in Kanwar Yatra, 80.9 lakh devotees reach Haridwar
The Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand officially commenced on July 11, 2025, but even before that, Shiva devotees from across the country began arriving in Haridwar. The administration started counting the pilgrims from July 10, and the figures so far are astonishing. According to the Uttarakhand Police administration, from July 10 to Tuesday evening at 6 PM, a total of 80.9 lakh Kanwariyas have departed with Gangajal for their destinations.
On the first Monday of Shravan month alone, 31 lakh devotees filled Gangajal at Har ki Pauri and other ghats. Filling Gangajal by such a large number of Shiva devotees within just 12 hours is a new record. The roads of Haridwar, the banks of the Ganga canal, the path along the railway tracks, and the highways are all resounding with saffron flags and the slogans of "Bol Bam." The throng of Shiva devotees is visible everywhere.
Saffron color dominance in Haridwar, robust security arrangements
Haridwar at this time is completely colored in saffron. Whether it's the roads, ghats, or highways — Kanwariyas are seen chanting "Har Har Mahadev" and "Bol Bam" everywhere. Keeping in mind the record-breaking crowd of devotees, the administration and police have made unprecedented security arrangements. Policemen are deployed everywhere so that no Kanwariya faces any inconvenience. Every activity is being monitored through CCTV cameras.
Along with the Uttarakhand Police, security forces from other states have also been deployed to control the crowd and ensure that the Yatra is completed in a completely peaceful and safe manner. Kanwariyas from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and other states of the country have departed for their respective destinations after taking Gangajal from Haridwar. This Kanwar Yatra will continue throughout the month of Shravan.
The increasing number of devotees every day indicates that this year's Kanwar Yatra may surpass the records of previous years. The administration has estimated that this figure could reach over 2 crore by the end of the month of Shravan.
Confluence of devotion and faith in Kanwar Yatra
The Kanwar Yatra is not just a religious ritual, but a festival of faith, devotion, and dedication. Shiva devotees walk hundreds of kilometers to reach Haridwar, take water from the Ganges, and perform Jalabhishek in the Shiva temples of their respective areas. This journey not only tests the body but also the mind, self-control, and faith.
