Varanasi Police Commissionerate Issues Detailed Traffic Plan for Sawan Kanwar Yatra 2026

VARANASI, INDIA — The Traffic Department of the Varanasi Police Commissionerate has enforced a comprehensive traffic management and diversion plan ahead of the holy month of Shravan (Sawan Mela 2026). Designed to manage the influx of lakhs of Kanwariyas and pilgrims, the special traffic regulations come into force on July 30, 2026 and will remain active through August 28, 2026.

Throughout the month, heavy movement is expected around prominent Shiva temples across the city, including the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple, Kedareshwar Temple, Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU), Rameshwar Mahadev, Shool Tankeshwar Mahadev, Sarang Nath Temple, and Markandey Mahadev Temple.

Key Festival Schedule & Focus Temples

Key Date Significance / Festival Event Primary Focal Temple July 30, 2026 Shravan Mela Begins Citywide Pilgrimage Routes August 3, 2026 First Monday (Somwar)Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple August 10, 2026 Second Monday Kedareshwar Temple August 17, 2026 Third Monday & Nag Panchami Tilbhandeshwar Temple August 24, 2026 Fourth Monday Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple August 28, 2026 Shravan Purnima, Raksha Bandhan & Shravan Shivratri New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU)

Heavy Vehicle Restrictions & Diversion Routes

To prevent severe inner-city gridlock, buses, trucks, and heavy commercial transport originating from Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Mau, Azamgarh, and Sonbhadra will be restricted from entering Varanasi's urban core during active diversion windows.

• Heavy Vehicle Bypass Route: All inter-district heavy traffic will be re-routed externally via the Ring Road, NH-19, and outer bypass corridors.

• City Daytime No-Entry Rules: A strict daily No-Entry policy for heavy goods carriers remains active inside city limits from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM throughout the month of Sawan.

Bus Routing Protocols (Roadways & Private)

1. Incoming from Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Chandauli:

   • Buses will travel via NH-19 → Rakhauna Overbridge → Ring Road → Harhua, before proceeding onward to assigned city drop-offs.

2. Incoming from Ghazipur, Azamgarh, and Jaunpur:

   • Buses will operate along Harhua → Gilat Bazaar → Shivpur Chungi → Phulwaria → Lahartara → Cantt Bus Station.

Light Vehicle & Passenger Transit Guidelines

Light vehicles and private cars arriving from the Prayagraj direction will be systematically diverted onto outer feeder roads via designated Ring Road cuts to avoid core temple congestion.

Commuters and local residents are advised to utilize navigation apps, follow real-time updates from the Traffic Control Room, and allow additional travel time for station and airport transfers during peak Monday periods.