61 VMRK kanwar camps in 2025!

Inspired by Sant Baljit Singh Ji, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) has been serving kanwarias during the Kanwar Yatra since 2014. Please see Pilgrimage Services for links to reports of VMRK’s annual kanwar camps. This year, VMRK organized 61 kanwar camps across 7 states and 2 union territories during various weeks between July 11 and August 8, 2025.

Planning, preparation, and setup

VMRK organized more kanwar camps in 2025 than last year’s total of 53 camps. VMRK volunteers surveyed routes commonly traveled by kanwarias to identify locations that lacked facilities in close proximity. They chose campsites with adequate space for essential facilities such as medical care, food preparation and distribution, resting areas, and more. Some kanwarias walk in groups with accompanying vehicles that transport their belongings. Therefore, campsites with sufficient parking areas were chosen.

In order to complete the yatra, kanwarias must walk a certain distance each day before they take rest at the next kanwar camp. Last year, kanwarias frequently requested locations of the upcoming VMRK kanwar camps along the route. The kanwarias wanted to plan ahead to enable them to rest at the next VMRK kanwar camp after walking their daily distance. In response, this year, VMRK printed posters featuring QR codes that linked to GPS maps showing the exact locations of our camps. These banners were then displayed across all the camps.

All VMRK camps were set up in accordance with the safety measures and hygiene guidelines issued by the local, state, and central authorities. For a few camps that could not be sited directly on the kanwaria route, VMRK set up kiosks on the route and stationed volunteers there to guide kanwarias to the VMRK kanwar camp.

Each camp operated 24-hours daily with teams of volunteers working in shifts to provide reception services, medical aid, resting area management, food preparation and distribution, security, sanitation, and emergency management.

Mobile first aid and refreshment service

VMRK also offered mobile first aid service on Kanwar Yatra routes that are very remote. On July 21, four medical staff and VMRK volunteers, along with an ambulance, departed from the Nawan Nagar center early in the morning. Traversing the route, the ambulance stopped at remote locations frequented by large numbers of kanwarias. At each stop, the team quickly set up tables and chairs before treating the kanwarias who gathered around.

Many kanwarias had fever, rashes, and blisters, particularly water blisters. The team provided immediate medical care and gave the kanwarias pain relievers to use later on their pilgrimage. Additionally, kanwarias were advised to seek more comprehensive care at the nearest VMRK kanwar camp. VMRK volunteers also distributed fruits and packaged water bottles to kanwarias in need.

After serving kanwarias late into night, the team resumed again early the next morning. The team concluded this service on July 23, returning to the center early that morning. Over the course of three days, the team covered 260 kilometers from Nawan Nagar center and rendered first aid to more than 2,100 kanwarias.

VMRK organized 61 kanwar camps across seven states and two union territories

Medical services

At each kanwar camp, VMRK provided medical consultation, first aid, and medicines free of cost to kanwarias. Given the strenuous nature of the pilgrimage, many presented with rashes, blisters, body pain, fever, cold, and cough. The medical team carefully attended to the kanwarias and volunteers gave foot massages to pilgrims who needed relief from muscular pain.

VMRK kanwar camps also assisted the kanwarias carrying the daak kanwar and khadi kanwar. Since these kanwarias cannot place their kanwar on the ground or hang it, VMRK volunteers held the kanwar on their behalf while the kanwarias took medical care. Kanwarias carrying daak kanwar cannot stop walking, so the medical team walked alongside, spraying pain relief on their injuries as they continued walking.

Meals and refreshments

Each VMRK kanwar camp served home-like, hygienic, and wholesome vegetarian meals with options to meet different dietary needs including kanwarias who were fasting. Main meals included seasonal vegetables, dal, rice, salad, and chapati, while fresh fruits were offered to those who preferred lighter meals. Freshly squeezed sweet lime juice and lemonade kept kanwarias hydrated, while tea and milk helped kanwarias recover from the fatigue of their journey.

Many kanwarias were pleasantly surprised by the availability of fresh food service 24 hours a day. Satisfied with the hospitality, they often contacted fellow kanwarias who were behind on the route, encouraging them to stop at VMRK’s kanwar camp. The kitchen crew often stayed up late and woke up early to serve all kanwarias who visited the camp. The local administration who frequently inspected our camps had their meals there as well.

Support services

As in previous years, VMRK kanwar camps provided comfortable resting areas, washroom facilities, other supportive and security services. Pilgrimage Services links to our previous blog posts that describe these facilities and services. This year, more kanwarias than expected arrived at some of our camps, so our volunteers promptly rented additional bedding to accommodate everyone.

Across the 61 VMRK kanwar camps, hundreds of thousands of kanwarias were served, of which more than 84,420 received medical care. Although VMRK increased the number of camps this year, many kanwarias requested VMRK to set up camps in other areas that remain underserved. VMRK looks forward to increasing the number of kanwar camps next year to better meet the growing demand.

Visitor feedback

Many kanwarias expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the services provided by VMRK by recording their feedback in the visitor book. Some are listed below: