Shiva
Kanwar Yatra (Kavad Yatra – Shravan Month Kanwar Yatra) is annual pilgrimage of Kanwaris (devotees of Lord Shiva) to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri Temples in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganga River (Gangajal) which is later offered at their local Shiva Temples.
Kanwar Yatra takes place in Shravan Month as per North Indian Hindi calendars (July – August). Earlier, Kanwar Yatra was performed in Bhado month but in 1960 Shrabani Mela started in Shravan Month and extended up to Dashara.
Gangajal taken from Sultanganj is poured on Baba Baidyanath at Deogarh (Jharkhand) by Kanwariyas. Kanwar Yatra is performed throughout the year from Sultanganj to Deoghar Babadham by Kanwariyas.
Basant Panchami and Maha Shivaratri are the other important occasions for Kanwar Yatra where more number of devotees throng the temples. As per some estimations, more than 2 crore devotees participate in Kanwar Yatra every year.