Shravani Mela 2025 Begins: Massive Kanwar Yatra starts as Devotees Walk 108 KM to Baba Baidyanath

Shravani Mela 2025 Begins: Massive Kanwar Yatra Begins as Devotees Walk 108 KM to Baba Baidyanath (image: PTI)

Shravani Mela 2025 officially began today at the sacred Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand, marking the start of one of India’s largest religious pilgrimages during the holy month of Sawan. With the chants of “Bol Bam” echoing in the air, lakhs of Kanwariyas began their 108-kilometre Kanwar Yatra, carrying Ganga Jal from Sultanganj in Bihar to offer at one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Shravani Mela 2025 Inauguration

The month-long mela was inaugurated on Guru Purnima (July 11) at Dumma, located at the Jharkhand-Bihar border. The Vedic opening ceremony was led by Jharkhand ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, and Sanjay Prasad Yadav. Baba Baidyanath Dham is a major Shaivite shrine and home to Kamna Mahadev Jyotirlinga, making it a vital pilgrimage site during Sawan. Every year, millions of devotees walk barefoot, carrying sacred water in Kanwars — a spiritual offering that symbolizes penance, faith, and devotion.

The 108 KM Journey: India’s Longest Religious Yatra

The Kanwar Yatra to Deoghar is widely known as the longest religious fair in Asia, with pilgrims walking from Uttarvahini Ganga in Sultanganj to Deoghar, covering 108 kilometres on foot. This year, the pilgrimage is expected to witness over 50–60 lakh devotees from across India and abroad. The roads along the route are filled with saffron-clad devotees singing bhajans, chanting “Bol Bam,” and creating a vibrant spiritual atmosphere that showcases India's devotional strength.

Facilities and Arrangements for Pilgrims

To ensure a smooth and safe experience for pilgrims, the Jharkhand government has taken extensive measures:

• Tent cities at Kothiya and Baghmara for rest and shelter
• Medical camps, bathing rooms, toilets, and drinking water at multiple points
• Digital support with QR-code-based information access and a dedicated chatbot
• Shuttle services for devotees arriving via buses

Safety, Sanitation & Crowd Management

Thousands of officials, magistrates, and police personnel have been deployed across the mela zone to ensure:

• Crowd discipline
• Cleanliness and sanitation
• Health and emergency response
• Accessibility of food and accommodation