Sawan 2026: The month of Sawan is considered most special for devotion to Lord Shiva. During this period, Kanwar Yatra is taken out across the country. Lakhs of Shiva devotees go on foot to their respective villages and cities carrying water from holy rivers and perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva on Monday of Sawan or any auspicious date. Kanwar Yatra There is often a question in the minds of devotees that among Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh, which place is considered most auspicious to offer Ganga water to Lord Shiva.
According to religious beliefs, all the three places have their own importance and anointing Lord Shiva by bringing Ganga water from these places is considered virtuous. However, the journey of bringing water from Gaumukh is considered special and supreme as it is the most difficult and is associated with penance. It is believed that the more difficulty and hard work is done in the Kanwar Yatra, the greater is the devotion and penance of the devotee. This year the holy Kanwar Yatra i.e. the month of Sawan is going to start from 30th July 2026. At the same time, Sawan will end with Sawan Purnima on 28 August 2026..
Why is bringing Ganga water from Gaumukh considered most special?
Gaumukh is considered to be the main origin point of river Ganga. This place is located in the Gangotri Glacier region of Uttarakhand. According to religious belief, Ganga is seen here in its most natural and pure form. The path to reach Gaumukh is not easy. Devotees have to go through difficult mountain paths and long treks. For this reason, the tradition of bringing water from Gaumukh and offering it to Lord Shiva is seen as associated with difficult penance. Even from the religious point of view, the water of Gaumukh is considered special, because it is considered to be connected to the initial stream of Ganga. This is the reason why bringing water from Gaumukh in Kanwar Yatra is considered as the most difficult and highest level of Kanwar Yatra.
Devotees bringing holy Ganga water during Kanwar Yatra. File Photo: PTI
What is the significance of bringing water from Gangotri?
Gangotri Dham is one of the major pilgrimage sites of Hindu religion. It is believed that Mother Ganga had descended on earth in this area. Ganga temple situated in Gangotri is a big center of faith of the devotees. Every year a large number of devotees reach here for darshan and worship of Mother Ganga. Bringing water from Gangotri during Kanwar Yatra is also considered to have special religious significance.
What is the belief of bringing Ganga water from Haridwar?
Haridwar also has special importance in Kanwar Yatra. Every year during Sawan, crores of devotees from different parts of the country reach Haridwar and start the Kanwar Yatra by filling Ganga water from different ghats of Ganga including Har Ki Pauri. According to beliefs, bathing in Ganga here frees one from sins committed unknowingly. Therefore, the religious importance of river Ganga in Haridwar is very high.
What is the difference between the three places?
Talking about religious beliefs, bringing water from Gaumukh is considered to be the most difficult journey and associated with penance. Therefore it is given special importance. Gangotri is considered extremely sacred as the main pilgrimage site of Mother Ganga, while fetching water from Haridwar is one of the most popular traditions of the Kanwar Yatra. Therefore, whether a devotee brings water from Gaumukh or Gangotri or Haridwar, it is considered virtuous to bring water from these three places only.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
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