Thousands of Kanwariyas Gather at Ghaziabad’s Mini-Haridwar

Another pilgrim, on his second Kanwar Yatra, said his group had started on August 1 and travelled comfortably. One member had got separated, but the remaining three had continued together. He said he had not faced major difficulties and attributed the smooth experience to both faith and the facilities provided.

A member of another group said that while there were minor difficulties, the overall arrangements were satisfactory and that undertaking the journey in the name of Lord Shiva made hardships feel lighter. Another devotee noted leg pain from long walks but said medicines and food facilities had been readily available whenever needed.

Hari Om Gupta, a volunteer with Mitra Kanwar Seva Samiti in Muradnagar, said his group had also started on August 1 and expected to reach its destination soon. He said the arrangements made by the Uttar Pradesh Police were excellent. “There were some difficulties while travelling through Uttarakhand, but once we entered Uttar Pradesh, everything was well organised. There are proper arrangements for lighting, accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other facilities,” he said.

The Kanwar Yatra, marked by faith and community service, draws millions of devotees from across the country each year during the Hindu month of Sawan. This year’s pilgrimage began on July 30 and is expected to peak on August 11, coinciding with Sawan Shivratri, when devotees offer sacred Ganga water at local Shiva temples.

Principal water-collection points include Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand. Pilgrims then proceed toward major shrines such as Neelkanth Mahadev in Rishikesh, Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi.

The camps at Muradnagar continue to serve as an important staging and rest point for Kanwariyas moving through the Ghaziabad region as the Yatra approaches its culminating rituals.