Sawan Shivratri in Ambala
Ambala, August 11, 2026: Ambala is witnessing a strong wave of religious fervour as devotees prepare to celebrate Sawan Shivratri on Tuesday. Kanwariyas who returned from Haridwar and Neelkanth carrying sacred Ganga water reached their respective areas late Monday night. They will perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva at local temples during Shivratri.
The city and the Ambala-Jagadhri highway remained filled with chants of “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” as hundreds of devotees made their way home after completing their Kanwar journeys. Kanwar camps set up along the Ambala-Jagadhri highway, including those near Sant Niwas and Grace Banquet Hall, remained busy throughout Monday.
Devotees arriving with both traditional walking Kanwars and Dak Kanwars were welcomed at several camps. Arrangements for food, water and rest were made at various locations for the pilgrims. Many Kanwariyas also travelled with decorated vehicles and DJs, dancing and singing to devotional music along the way.
Grand Tableaux Become a Major Attraction
Elaborately decorated Kanwars and religious tableaux became one of the major attractions during the journey. Devotees displayed different representations of Hindu deities, including Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Lord Ram, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman.
Among the tableaux that attracted attention were Lord Shiva seated on a peacock-themed chariot, a divine representation of Goddess Kali, a matted-haired form of Shiva and a Shivling-themed Kanwar. Other displays featured child-form Shiva, an Aghori representation of Lord Shiva and different depictions of Lord Hanuman.
The colourful tableaux drew crowds of residents and passersby who stopped to watch the Kanwariyas as they travelled through the city.
Devotees Bring Elaborate Kanwars
The devotion and enthusiasm of the Kanwariyas were also reflected in the scale of their Kanwar decorations. Ambala City resident Arun said he was travelling on foot with a group of 35 people. His group brought a Kanwar featuring a DJ system from Roorkee, with an estimated expenditure of around ₹4 lakh. Arun said he has been undertaking the Kanwar pilgrimage for the past 18 years.
Another devotee, Tilak from Valmiki Colony, arrived with 18 companions carrying a Kanwar featuring a large Hanuman tableau. The tableau was reportedly prepared at a cost of around ₹1.5 lakh.
Devotees from Chhaoni’s Dudhla Mandi area also brought a Kanwar featuring a grand representation of Goddess Kali. Raj Kiran travelled with 11 members and said approximately ₹1.5 lakh was spent on the tableau.
Devotees Carry Large Quantities of Ganga Water
Several Kanwariyas also demonstrated their devotion by carrying large quantities of sacred Ganga water. Varun from Boh village arrived carrying 101 litres of Ganga water in eight steel pots. Meanwhile, Saurav and Sanjay carried 104 litres in 10 pots.
Other devotees reached Ambala on motorcycles and on foot with religious idols and decorated Kanwars.
With Shivratri being observed on Tuesday, devotees are expected to visit Shiva temples early in the morning to perform Jalabhishek with the sacred Ganga water. The atmosphere across Ambala has remained filled with devotional chants as Kanwariyas complete their pilgrimage and prepare to offer the holy water to Lord Shiva.
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