Shravani Mela 2026 – The Sultanganj to Deoghar Kanwar Pilgrimage
श्रावणी मेला
When is Shravani Mela in 2026?
Shravani Mela 2026 runs from 30 July to 28 August, across the whole Hindu month of Shravan (Sawan). Saffron-clad Kanwariyas fill pots with Ganga water at Sultanganj in Bihar and walk barefoot about 105 km to pour it over the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga at Deoghar in Jharkhand. Crowds peak on each Shravan Somvar (Monday).
Shravani Mela is a month-long Kanwar pilgrimage held through the sacred month of Shravan in eastern India. Devotees known as Kanwariyas gather at Sultanganj on the Ganga in Bihar, lift the sacred water in decorated pots slung from a bamboo pole, and set out barefoot on a roughly 105 km walk to Deoghar in Jharkhand. There they pour the water over Baba Baidyanath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The chant of Bol Bam carries the whole route, and the fair swells into one of the largest and longest religious gatherings anywhere in the world.
Shravani Mela 2026-2028: Dates & Calendar
Shravani Mela 2026 opens on 30 July and closes on 28 August, filling the entire lunar month of Shravan. Because it follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar, the window shifts by a few weeks each year.
| Year | Shravan Month (Mela Window) | Ends On | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 July – 28 August | Fri, 28 Aug (Shravan Purnima) | Next occurrence; four Shravan Somvars |
| 2027 | approx. 19 July – 17 August | Tue, 17 Aug (Shravan Purnima) | Approximate – confirm nearer the date |
| 2028 | approx. 7 July – 5 August | Sat, 5 Aug (Shravan Purnima) | Approximate – confirm nearer the date |
The heaviest crowds fall on each Shravan Somvar (Monday) and on the final days near Shravan Purnima. In 2026 the Mondays of Shravan land on 3, 10, 17 and 24 August.
Why Shravani Mela Is Celebrated
Shravani Mela is held because Shravan is considered the most sacred month for worshipping Shiva, and offering Ganga water to the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga during it is believed to fulfil vows and cleanse the devotee.
The holiest month for Shiva
Shravan is dedicated to Shiva above all other months, and offering water (jalabhishek) to a Shiva linga in this period is held to be especially fruitful. Kanwariyas take on the barefoot walk as a vow, a physical act of devotion and endurance.
A Jyotirlinga of great power
Baba Baidyanath at Deoghar is counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most revered self-manifested lingas of Shiva. Bringing Ganga water from the river’s course at Sultanganj to bathe this linga is seen as one of the most meritorious offerings a devotee can make.
Water carried, never set down
Tradition holds that the sacred water, once lifted at Sultanganj, must not touch the ground until it is poured at Deoghar. Kanwariyas rest their poles on special stands, which shapes the discipline, pace and round-the-clock rhythm of the whole pilgrimage.
Deities & Figures Worshipped
Shravani Mela centres entirely on Shiva, worshipped at Deoghar in his form as Baba Baidyanath.
Shiva (Baba Baidyanath)
The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is the focus of the whole pilgrimage. Devotees pour their carried Ganga water over the linga as jalabhishek, often with bel leaves, flowers and offerings, and take darshan in the crowded temple courtyard.
Ganga
The river Ganga is honoured at the start of the yatra. Kanwariyas bathe and fill their pots at the Uttarvahini stretch near Sultanganj, where the Ganga is believed to flow northward, before beginning the walk south to Deoghar.
Key Rituals, Step by Step
The Kanwar journey follows a set sequence, from filling the pots at the Ganga to the final offering at Baidyanath Dham.
- Sankalp and bath at Sultanganj. Kanwariyas take a holy dip in the Ganga at Sultanganj and make a resolve (sankalp) to complete the pilgrimage.
- Filling the kanwar. Two pots are filled with Ganga water and tied to the ends of a decorated bamboo pole, the kanwar, which rests across the shoulder.
- Setting out barefoot. Devotees begin the roughly 105 km walk to Deoghar barefoot, most wearing saffron, chanting Bol Bam along the way.
- Keeping the water aloft. The kanwar is never placed on the ground; at rest stops it is hung on stands so the water stays pure through the journey.
- Walking the route. Pilgrims move day and night along the decorated road through Sultanganj, Kumaithi, Jilebia More and other halts, with free food and rest camps set up en route.
- Reaching Deoghar. On arrival, devotees join the long darshan queue at the Baidyanath Dham temple complex.
- Jalabhishek. The carried Ganga water is poured over the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, often with bel leaves and flowers, completing the vow.
- Darshan and prasad. Pilgrims take darshan of Baba Baidyanath, receive prasad, and many continue to the nearby Basukinath temple to complete the circuit.
The Route & Where It Happens
Shravani Mela stretches across Bihar and Jharkhand, from the river at Sultanganj to the temple town of Deoghar.
Sultanganj (Bihar)
The starting point on the banks of the Ganga in Bhagalpur district. Its Uttarvahini (north-flowing) stretch of the river is where Kanwariyas bathe and fill their pots before the walk.
The Kanwar route
The roughly 105 km path runs south from Sultanganj through halts such as Kumaithi, Masumganj, Tarapur, Jilebia More and Darshaniya. In the mela season the road is lined with camps, lights and stalls day and night.
Deoghar (Jharkhand)
The destination, home to Baba Baidyanath Dham. Deoghar sees the densest crowds of the mela and runs elaborate crowd-management and queue systems through the month.
Basukinath
About 45 km from Deoghar, the Basukinath temple is a common continuation of the pilgrimage. Many devotees offer water here as well to complete their journey.
Shravani Mela Do's and Don'ts
A few simple practices keep the pilgrimage safe, orderly and in keeping with tradition.
Do
- Fill and carry Ganga water from Sultanganj with a clear sankalp (resolve).
- Keep the kanwar off the ground – rest it on the stands provided.
- Wear comfortable saffron clothing and pace the barefoot walk sensibly.
- Stay hydrated and use the free food and rest camps along the route.
- Follow the crowd-control and queue instructions at Deoghar.
Avoid
- Do not let the sacred water pot touch the ground before jalabhishek.
- Do not consume alcohol, meat or tamasic food during the vow.
- Do not rush or push in the darshan queue – the crowds are immense.
- Do not litter or damage the route and temple surroundings.
- Do not ignore your health; stop and rest if you feel unwell on the walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shravani Mela in 2026?
Shravani Mela 2026 runs from 30 July to 28 August, covering the entire Hindu month of Shravan. Kanwariyas carry Ganga water from Sultanganj to Deoghar throughout this window, with the biggest crowds on the Shravan Somvars (Mondays) of 3, 10, 17 and 24 August.
When is Shravani Mela in 2027 and 2028?
Shravani Mela is expected to run from about 19 July to 17 August in 2027, and about 7 July to 5 August in 2028, ending each year on Shravan Purnima. These follow the lunar Shravan month, so the exact committee dates are confirmed closer to the year and should be treated as approximate.
Why is Shravani Mela celebrated?
Shravani Mela is celebrated because Shravan is regarded as the holiest month for worshipping Shiva. Offering Ganga water to the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga during this month is believed to fulfil vows and bring blessings, so millions undertake the barefoot Kanwar pilgrimage as an act of devotion.
Which god is worshipped at Shravani Mela?
Shiva is the deity of Shravani Mela, worshipped at Deoghar in his form as Baba Baidyanath. The temple houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and devotees pour their carried Ganga water over the linga as jalabhishek.
How far is the walk from Sultanganj to Deoghar?
The Kanwar route from Sultanganj to Deoghar is about 105 km. Kanwariyas cover it barefoot, carrying pots of Ganga water on a bamboo pole and chanting Bol Bam, over roughly two to four days depending on their pace.
What do Kanwariyas carry and why can it not touch the ground?
Kanwariyas carry two pots of Ganga water tied to a decorated bamboo pole called a kanwar. Tradition holds the sacred water must stay pure and never touch the ground until it is poured at Baidyanath, so at rest stops the pole is hung on special stands rather than set down.
Why are Mondays so important during Shravani Mela?
Mondays (Shravan Somvar) are considered the most auspicious days to worship Shiva during the month of Shravan. On these days the crowds at Sultanganj and Deoghar are at their largest, and jalabhishek at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is believed to be especially rewarding.
Where does Shravani Mela take place?
Shravani Mela takes place across Bihar and Jharkhand. It begins at Sultanganj on the Ganga in Bihar and ends at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand, with the pilgrim route and its camps stretching about 105 km between the two.
May Baba Baidyanath bless every pilgrim who walks the long saffron road. Bol Bam!