India, a country of rich in the followers of spirituality and many different cultures, is at its lively best in the monsoon month of Saawan (Shravan) with one of the most vibrant and pictorial pilgrimages – the Kawad Yatra. Millions of devotees, called Kanwariyas, go for an intense spiritual journey to get holy water from the Ganga and present it to Lord Shiva every year. This powerful act of devotion, filled with chants, discipline, and a lot of faith, is more than a religious custom; it's an emotion, an experience, and a celebration of devotion.

In this blog, we’ll explore the significance, history, rituals, routes, and modern-day relevance of the Kawad Yatra 2025 that takes place primarily during the Saawan month in India.

What is Kawad Yatra?

Kawad Yatra is a yearly ritual followed by the Hindu community in which people of Lord Shiva, famous as Kanwariyas, carry holy water of the River Ganga in special bamboo boats named "Kawads." These pilgrims make a barefoot trek on foot to temples of Shiva, particularly to destinations such as Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri, or Sultanganj, and donate the holy water at nearby Shiva temples or jyotirlingas, of which Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand and Neelkanth Mahadev in Uttarakhand are some of the most prominent.

The yatra is performed in the sacred Hindu month of Saawan (July-August), which is considered the most favourite month of Lord Shiva, and specifically Mondays (referred to as Saawan Somwar) are of great importance.

Kawad Yatra 2025: Date of Beginning and Date of End

The Kawad Yatra 2025 is likely to start as soon as the Shravan month commences on Friday, July 11, 2025, as per the North Indian Hindu calendar. The month is sacred for Lord Shiva and is considered very auspicious for making prayers and fasting.

The Kawad start date is on July 12, 2025, with lakhs of Kanwariyas embarking on the pilgrimage from cities such as Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Sultanganj. The Yatra generally lasts for around 15–20 days, end date and Kawad Jal Day—when the Ganga Jal is given to Shiva temples—is likely to fall on or about Monday, July 28, 2025, during the important Saawan Somwar.

Note: These dates can slightly change based on the region and lunar calendar alignment. Always refer to the local temple authorities or panchangs for accurate updates.

Jal Day 2025: The Most Sacred Offering

The day that everyone most eagerly looks forward to in the entire Kawad Jal Day, or Jal Abhishek Day, is when the Kanwariyas pour the Ganga water over Shivlingas. Jal Day in 2025 will probably be July 28, the third Monday of Shravan (Saawan Somwar)—a very auspicious date for worshiping Shiva.

On this day, temples such as Neelkanth Mahadev (Rishikesh), Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar), Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi), and countless regional Shiva temples see huge footfall because the divine offering is done amidst calls of "Har Har Mahadev" and "Bol Bam!".

Who Are the Kanwariyas?

The devotees who take part in the yatra are referred to as Kanwariyas. They belong to all sections of society, men, women, teenage boys, old saintly people—united in a strong faith towards Mahadev.

Most of them dress in saffron-colored clothing, which reflects purity and commitment. They repeatedly chant "Bol Bam" or "Har Har Mahadev" while moving.

Some do the yatra barefoot, while others even travel the distance by rolling over (Dandavat Yatra) or on bicycles or vehicles for portions of the journey, depending upon their health condition.

Historical and Mythological Importance

The origin of the Kawad Yatra is traced back to Hindu scriptures and myths from ancient times. According to legend, during Samudra Manthan (ocean churning), a lethal poison named Halahala was produced, which threatened the world. Lord Shiva drank the poison to preserve the world and kept it in his throat, which turned blue, and hence he got the name Neelkanth (the blue-throated one).

To counteract the effects of the poison and provide relief, his followers put holy Ganga water on him. That symbolic gesture of worship is what the Kawad Yatra imitates today—presenting Ganga Jal to the Shivling as a gesture of devotion, thankfulness, and affection.

The Rituals and Process of Kawad Yatra

The yatra adheres to rigid religious rituals and code of behaviour:

• 1. Fetching Ganga Jal

The pilgrimage begins with followers visiting sites where the Ganga river runs, like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Gaumukh, or Sultanganj. Employing containers slung on either side of a bamboo rod (kawad), they fetch water from the sacred river.

• 2. The Devotional Pilgrimage

The kanwariyas travel on foot, going through hundreds of kilometres, sleeping out under open skies, taking only satvik (pure veg) food, and skipping pleasures. They go in groups or individually, chanting slogans and bhajans.

No section of the kawad or water vessel is allowed to be on the ground during the process. They support the kawad on wooden supports designed especially for it.

• 3. Offering to Lord Shiva

Once the pilgrimage is completed, the Ganga Jal is presented at a temple to the Shivling. Temples such as Neelkanth Mahadev of Rishikesh, Kashi Vishwanath of Varanasi, and Baidyanath Dham of Deoghar witness huge throngs of pilgrims during this period.

Popular Pilgrimage Routes and Shrines

• Haridwar to Neelkanth Mahadev (Uttarakhand)

One of the most popular pilgrim routes, where pilgrims trek 30-40 km to reach the temple located in the Garhwal area.

• Sultanganj to Baidyanath Dham (Jharkhand)

A significant Kawad route of about 105 km, whereby devotees collect water from Ajgaibinath Temple (Sultanganj) and go to Deoghar to offer it to the jyotirlinga.

• Gaumukh or Gangotri to Rameshwaram

Certain hardcore devotees even go all the way from the origin of the Ganga in Gaumukh to Rameshwaram, a distance of more than 3,000 km.

Kawad Yatra Dress Code and Ideas 2025

The most iconic sight of the Kawad Yatra, without a doubt, is the sea of saffron colored clothes that devotees choose to wear as a kawad dress. 

Classic Dress Code for Kanwariyas:

Men: Orange/saffron t-shirts/vests, dhotis or shorts, headbands with "Bol Bam" in Hindi, and walking shoes or barefoot (subject to personal preference).

Women: Saffron kurtas, dupattas, loose cotton salwars, or sarees (fewer women participate in the yatra, but their numbers are increasing annually).

Essentials: The Majority of them carry a bamboo pole known as Kawad that is adorned with plastic flowers, LED lights, and pictures of Lord Shiva.

Top Devotional Songs for Kawad Yatra 2025

No Kawad Yatra is complete without the heartfelt beats of Bol Bam devotional bhajans. These bhajans and songs energize the journey and uplift the spirit.

Popular Kawad Songs & Bhajans for 2025:

• Bol Bam Bam Lahari – Classic Bhojpuri hit

• Bhole Baba Ka Darbar Sajega – Performed by Pawan Singh

• DJ Wale Bole Bam – Youth favorite DJ remix with Shiva mantras

• Ganga Jal Chadhayenge Bhole Ko – A classic devotional song

• Bam Bam Bhole Bhola Ka Bhajan –  mantra-based bhajan, a lot of use for kawad status

• Kanwar Wale Aaye Baba Ke Nagariya – An emotional song on the pilgrimage

Why Do Individuals Engage in Kawad Yatra?

• For some, the Kawad Yatra is more than a religious practice:
• It's a renewal, a means to wash away sins.
• It's a tribute to Lord Shiva for granting desires.
• For others, it's a means to test them, demonstrate faith, or simply get immersed in a world of seekers of spirituality.

As one Kanwariya explains:

"Jab tak pair chalega, tab tak Bam Bam Bhole ke liye chalega."

(As long as my feet can walk, I will walk for Lord Shiva.)

Conclusion

The Kawad Yatra is a combination of spirituality, strength, and communal faith. It is among the rare religious festivals that mix ancient mythology with contemporary fervour, bringing together millions of people from caste, class, and region into a single devotion for Mahadev.

As Saawan comes every year along with pouring rains and a spiritual breeze, the streets of India resonate with "Bol Bam!" and jingling of Kawads, kawad images reminding us of the firm and strong faith which still thrives at the core of the nation.