The Kanwar Yatra is one of the longest and most public forms of religiosity seen in the Hindi-speaking states of the Gangetic plains. The pilgrimage, which takes place in the Hindu month of Shrawan and is currently underway, lasts for a few weeks and often creates news for reasons that are far removed from religion. The ritual seems to be attracting more people every year, along with the seasonal philanthropy which emerges along its route. Is it possible to capture all of this quantitatively? Two government surveys – one on domestic tourism and another one time use – can help us do that.