India's Kanwar Yatra 2026 Begins July 30 with Guidelines for First‑Time Pilgrims

The Kanwar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to offer water to Shiva, is scheduled to start on 30 July 2026. The month‑long journey, observed throughout August, will see millions of devotees carrying water-filled kanwars on foot to Shiva temples.

Organisers and religious authorities have issued detailed guidelines for first‑time participants. Pilgrims must keep the kanwar off the ground, using stands or suspending it, and maintain personal hygiene after bathroom use. Consumption of meat, alcohol, tobacco, garlic, onion, and other non‑vegetarian items is prohibited, as is the use of leather belts, wallets or shoes. Participants are urged to observe traffic and crowd‑control rules, avoid plastic litter, and refrain from disputes or profanity. The emphasis is on physical and mental purity, modest dress, and continuous chanting of Shiva’s names.

These instructions aim to ensure safety, environmental cleanliness, and a spiritually disciplined atmosphere during the extensive trek, which culminates with the offering of water at Shiva shrines in late August.