Kanwar Yatra
The holy month of Sawan (Shravan) holds great religious importance in Hinduism, especially for devotees of Lord Shiva. Every year, the Kanwar Yatra sees millions of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, embarking on a spiritual journey to collect water from the Ganges and offer it at Shiva temples. In 2025, this annual pilgrimage is expected to witness even larger crowds, prompting local administrations to take precautionary steps to ensure public safety and smooth traffic movement.
In response to the anticipated influx of devotees and associated congestion, the district administration of a major Uttar Pradesh district has taken a proactive step by declaring school holidays every Saturday and Monday during the month of Sawan. This measure aims to reduce traffic pressure on roads and ensure student safety amid the heavy footfall of pilgrims and increased vehicular movement.
Why the Holidays?
The Kanwar Yatra route often includes major roads and highways, which get packed with Kanwariyas walking, chanting, and carrying decorated Kanwars on their shoulders. With the schools reopening after summer holidays and regular academic activities resuming, the risk of traffic jams, accidents, and delays increases significantly. To address this, the district administration has opted to suspend school operations on high-traffic days, particularly Saturdays and Mondays, which are considered especially sacred for Lord Shiva.
The holidays will apply to both government and private schools, including primary and secondary institutions. This ensures consistency and avoids confusion for parents, students, and school staff.
Dates of Sawan in 2025
According to the Hindu calendar, Sawan month in 2025 will begin on July 10 and continue until August 8. During this time, millions of Kanwariyas from across North India especially from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Delhi, and Haryana – will undertake the yatra. Mondays during this month, known as Sawan Somvar, are particularly auspicious for Shiva worship and witness the highest number of devotees visiting temples.
Importance of Kanwar Yatra
The Kanwar Yatra is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Devotees walk barefoot, sometimes for hundreds of kilometers, to collect sacred Ganga water from places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri. This water is then offered to Lord Shiva at their local temples, especially on Mondays of Sawan. The atmosphere is vibrant, devotional songs echo through the air, and entire communities come together to provide food, shelter, and first aid to the yatris.
Local Preparations and Administration Efforts
In addition to declaring school holidays, the local administration is also gearing up for additional security, traffic diversions, medical camps, and Kanwar rest areas. Police personnel, volunteers, and disaster response teams will be deployed to ensure a smooth and safe yatra.
The decision to give holidays on select days during Sawan reflects the importance of public safety and religious harmony. As the Kanwar Yatra 2025 approaches, districts across Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states are likely to implement similar measures to balance daily life with spiritual fervor.
