Sawan Kanwar Yatra 2026: Why is Ganga water for Baba Baidyanath collected from Sultanganj only

The holy month of Sawan, dedicated to Mahadev, the God of Gods, has started and in this entire month, Shiva devotees from every corner of the country are seen immersed in the devotion of Lord Shiva. In this holy month of Sawan, a huge crowd of devotees gather at Baba Baidyanath Dham located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, which is one of the famous Jyotirlingas of the country. During this time, lakhs of devotees from far and wide come here on Kanwar Yatra and offer water to Lord Shiva. However, one thing is most special in this entire journey that all the Kanwariyas start their difficult journey by filling Ganga water, especially from Sultanganj in Bihar. In such a situation, this question often arises in the minds of people that why don’t Kanwariyas bring Ganga water from other parts of the country and why is Sultanganj chosen for this?

Importance and religious belief of Uttaravahini Ganga

According to religious beliefs and mythology, the flow of Mother Ganga in Sultanganj is considered very special and unique. Here the river Ganga flows towards the north, due to which it is called ‘Uttarvahini Ganga’. Generally, in other parts of the country, the Ganga flows in other directions, but the Ganga flowing in the north is considered extremely sacred and the giver of salvation in Hindu religion. Apart from this, Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, is also situated in this northern direction, which is why collecting water from the North-flowing Ganga and offering it on Shivalinga is considered very auspicious, fruitful and very dear to Shiva.

105 kilometer arduous walking journey and tradition of Jalabhishek

In the month of Sawan, a crowd of people with deep faith gathers in Sultanganj, Bihar. Here thousands and lakhs of devotees first take bath in the North Vahini Ganga and after worshiping with rituals, fill the holy Ganga water in their Kanwar. After this, a very difficult and long trek of about 105 kilometers begins. All Shiva devotees travel from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Dham of Deoghar, barefoot, without slippers and shoes, wearing saffron clothes and chanting ‘Bol Bam’. It is believed that Mahadev definitely fulfills the wishes of every devotee who completes such a difficult journey with full devotion and true heart.

Mythological story of Samudra Manthan and Jalabhishek

This ancient tradition of Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan is linked to the incident of churning of the ocean. According to mythology, when the extremely deadly Halahal poison was released during the churning of the ocean, Lord Shiva took that poison in his throat to protect the universe. Due to the effect of this poison, severe heat and fever started increasing in Mahadev’s body, to calm it down all the gods and goddesses offered water on him. Since then, it has been believed that offering water to Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan cools down the heat in his body and provides coolness. With this Jalabhishek, devotees are blessed with happiness, peace, good health and freedom from all the sorrows of life.