The annual Kanwar Yatra will begin on July 30 with the start of the holy month of Shravan. However, in several places, the pilgrimage has already started according to the traditional calendar. The yatra will conclude on August 11, the day of Shravan Shivratri, when lakhs of devotees will offer Ganga water to Lord Shiva.
With a massive influx of Kanwariyas expected over the next two weeks, authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan have rolled out elaborate security and traffic management plans. Traffic diversions will remain in force from July 29 to August 11. Separate routes have been marked for Kanwar vehicles, state-run and private buses, Char Dham pilgrims, pedestrians and heavy vehicles.
Seven-Layer Security at Major Temples
The Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand administrations have introduced one of the biggest security arrangements for this year’s Kanwar Yatra. Authorities have put a seven-layer security cover around major Shiva temples, while Kanwar routes will remain under a triple-layer security system.
The move comes after intelligence agencies flagged possible security threats, including inputs related to terror activities and the alleged involvement of Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti’s network. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Special Task Force (STF) and local police personnel have taken positions at key locations.
According to ADG Meerut Zone Bhanu Bhaskar, ATS teams will secure temple premises, gates and inner sanctums of major Shiva temples. Police personnel will guard roads, barricades and entry points outside the temples. Intelligence agencies will also remain on high alert throughout the pilgrimage.
Authorities have also strengthened security at rivers and water bodies. Barricades, boats, PAC personnel, NDRF, SDRF teams and trained divers have been deployed to prevent accidents and respond quickly during emergencies.
Modi, Yogi and Operation Sindoor T-Shirts in High Demand
Markets in Prayagraj have witnessed a sharp rise in demand for Kanwar-related items ahead of the pilgrimage. Saffron T-shirts, shorts, scarves and other accessories are selling rapidly.
This year, T-shirts carrying images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, “Operation Sindoor” and “Baba Bulldozer” have become the most popular choices among devotees. Three-dimensional printed T-shirts have also entered the market for the first time and have attracted significant attention.
Shopkeepers say demand has exceeded expectations, forcing them to order fresh stock repeatedly. Many traders admitted they are struggling to meet customer demand.
Why the Kanwar Yatra Holds Special Importance
Kanwar Yatra is one of the most important religious pilgrimages for devotees of Lord Shiva. Every year, lakhs of Kanwariyas travel to holy places such as Haridwar and Gangotri to collect Ganga water.
After completing the journey, they return to their hometowns and offer the sacred water to Shiva Lingams on Shravan Shivratri. Devotees wear saffron clothes throughout the pilgrimage and consider the journey highly auspicious.
Major Traffic Diversions in Haridwar
To manage heavy traffic, Haridwar Police have announced detailed diversion plans for vehicles entering the city from different directions.
Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar said Kanwar vehicles coming from Saharanpur will travel through Mandawar, Abdul Kalam Chowk, Nagla Imarti, Laksar and SM Tiraha before reaching Bairagi Camp Parking.
If traffic pressure increases, vehicles arriving from Delhi, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar will also follow the same diversion through Rampur Tiraha, Kolki Toll Plaza, Badkalan, Mandawar, Saliyar Chowk, Abdul Kalam Chowk, Nagla Imarti and Laksar before reaching the designated parking area.
Vehicles from Yamunanagar and Saharanpur will also use this route. They will exit through Shamshan Ghat Bridge, Shriyantra Bridge, Buddhi Mata Tiraha, Desh Rakshak and Singh Dwar before joining NH-334.
Fresh Routes for Vehicles
Authorities have announced additional diversions for traffic coming from other regions.
Kanwar vehicles arriving from Moradabad, Bijnor and Najibabad will move through Chidiyapur, Gaindikhatta and the 4.2 diversion before reaching Gaurishankar and Neeldhara parking areas.
Vehicles from Dehradun and Rishikesh will pass through Nepali Tiraha, Sapt Rishi Tiraha and Dudhadhari Flyover before reaching Chamgadar Tapu and Laljiwala parking.
Officials have prohibited Kanwar vehicles from using the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway during the pilgrimage.
Separate Routes for Walking Devotees
Police have also designated dedicated routes for Kanwariyas travelling on foot.
Pilgrims heading towards Delhi, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Haryana will travel from Har Ki Pauri through Rodibelwala Ramp, Keshav Ashram Tiraha, Om Bridge, Regulator Bridge, Shankaracharya Chowk, Singh Dwar, Arya Nagar Chowk, Lal Pul, Pul Jatwara and Bahadrabad canal road.
Devotees travelling towards Moradabad and Najibabad will use Har Ki Pauri, CCR Chowk, Deendayal Parking Underpass, Anand Van Samadhi Parking, Chandi Chowk and the 4.2 bridge before joining the canal route.
Pilgrims travelling to Dehradun and Rishikesh will move through Har Ki Pauri, Bhimgoda, Khadkhadi, Sukhi River Barrier and Dudhadhari Tiraha before joining NH-34.
Special Arrangement for Buses
Authorities have assigned separate parking areas for roadways and private buses.
Roadways buses travelling to and from Dehradun and Rishikesh will stop at Motichur Parking through Nepali Tiraha, Raiwala and Dudhadhari Tiraha.
Buses arriving from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana will use the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Mandawar and Abdul Kalam Chowk before reaching Rishikul Ground Parking.
Buses on the Najibabad route will halt at Neeldhara and Gaurishankar parking. Meanwhile, buses travelling between Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Bijnor, Moradabad and Nainital will continue to operate on their regular routes.
Private buses will follow a similar arrangement. Authorities have instructed all operators to use only designated routes and parking areas.
Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicles will also face restrictions throughout the Kanwar Yatra.
From July 29 to August 11, trucks travelling towards Moradabad, Bijnor and Najibabad will stop at Chidiyapur and Kangri parking areas. Heavy vehicles coming from Delhi and Meerut will halt at Mandawar.
From July 29 to August 4, authorities will allow heavy vehicles only between midnight and 4 am. From August 5 to August 11, they will completely prohibit their movement on the designated routes.
Vehicles heading to Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar will travel through Meerut, Garhmukteshwar, Najibabad, Kotdwar, Pauri and Srinagar while using the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. The same route will apply to pilgrims travelling to Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Muzaffarnagar Imposes Highway Restrictions
Muzaffarnagar Police have also enforced strict traffic restrictions for the pilgrimage.
Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma said heavy vehicles will not be allowed on NH-58 from midnight on July 29 until August 12.
From July 29 to August 4, the left lane of the highway will remain reserved for Kanwariyas, while light vehicles will use the remaining lane. From August 4 onwards, both lanes will remain exclusively reserved for Kanwariyas.
Authorities have identified alternative routes for vehicles arriving from Saharanpur, Haridwar and nearby districts. Police officials said all preparations are complete to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims and minimise inconvenience to commuters.
