The Kānvar Yatrā or Kavad Yatra is annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as Kānvarias, to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River, which is later offered at their local Shiva temples. The Yatra takes place during the sacred month of Shravan/Saawan.

The Kānvar Yatrā or Kavad Yatra is annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as Kānvarias, to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River, which is later offered at their local Shiva temples. The Yatra takes place during the sacred month of Shravan/Saawan.

1- The custom of carrying Kanwar started in the Treta Yuga. Lord Rama had carried the holy Ganges water from Sultanganj in a kanwar and offered to Lord Shiva at Babadham.

2- When the churning of oceans, Samudra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except poison. Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. All the Gods thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of poison. Since, this happened in the month of Shravan, since then the Shiva devotees offer the Ganges water in this month.

3- According to the Puranas, Ravana had brought the Ganges water from Haridwar and offered to Lord Shiva.

The mission of the Kanwariyas is simple, to fetch Ganga jal, return to their hometown to consecrate the shivlingams as a gestures of thanks giving to Lord Shiva. ‪It is an act of devotion and a feat of endurance, for the journey must be made by traveling on foot for thousands of kilometers, taking only one meal per day and making sure that the water or “Kanwar” is never placed on the ground during the entire trek. The water is never to touch the ground until it is used in the consecration of the Shivalinga. The Kanwariya must devote his life for a period of 20 days during this period. His life is completely devoted to the task of traveling to the source of water and returning safely back to his village, chanting and singing and keeping their minds free from evil or wrong doings.
Om Namah Shivaya!