Friends, for the last few days one news item in media has been getting attention, which is of KANWAR YATRA. The pilgrimage derives its name from a sacred water-carrying apparatus, called Kanwar, and while the source of water is often the Ganga River, it can also be its local equivalents. The offering is dedicated to Shiva, often addressed as Bhola (innocent) or Blole Baba(innocent saint). The Kanwar Yatra originates from Kumbhnagri Haridwar. Millions of Shiva devotees participate in this annual pilgrimage in Hindu month of Sawan, carrying Kanwars to collect water from Ganga.
Presently, the Kanwar pilgrimage is growing year by year, and it has been estimated that that 10 to 12 million participants take part in this annual event. The devotees come from the surrounding states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar and some from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
As per Indian ancient history, Kanwar Yatra is related to the churning of the ocean of milk in the Hindu Puranas. When the poison came out before amrit and the world started burning from its heat, Lord Shiva inhaled the poison. But, after inhaling it he started suffering from the negative energy of te poison. In the Treta Yug, Shiva’s devout follower Ravan brought holy water of Ganga by using Kanwar and poured it on Shiva’s temple in Puramahadev. Thus releasing Shiva from the negative energy of the poison.
In Hindu religion, the month of Sawan is dedicated to Lord Shiva and most devotees observe fast on Mondays during this month.
While most pilgrims are men, a few women also participate in Yatra. Most travel the distance on foot, a few also travel on bicycles, motor cycles, scooters, mini trucks or jeeps. Numerous Hindu Organisations like local Kanwar Sanghs, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS), and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) setup camps along the route of Yatra where food, shelter, medical-aid and stand to hang Kanwars, holding the Ganga water is provided. Once the pilgrims reach their hometown, the Ganga water is used to bathe the Shivalingam on the 13th day (triyadashi) in Sawan month or on the Maha Shivratri day.
This year, the Kanwar Yatra is anticipated to commence on Monday, 22nd July and conclud3e on Tuesday 6th August. The devotees hold the belief that presenting the holy Ganga water to Lord Shiva during the month of Sawan bestows significant blessings and spiritual benefits. This Yatra reflects the devotees steadfast faith and their earnest quest for the divine blessings of Lord Shiva.
Yatra Routes
- Haridwar Route- This is the most popular route, where devotees travel from Haridwar to destinations such as Neelkanth Mahadev temple in Rishikesh or the Pura Mahadeva temple in Baghpat (UP).
- Gaumukh Route- Beginning at Gaumukh, the source of Ganga, devotees carry the sacred water to their chosen destination.
- Gangotri Route- with devotees transporting the holywater to temples like Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi or Baidyanath Dham in Deogarh, Jharkhand.
- Sultanganj to Deodhar Route- On this route, devotees collect water at Sultanganj and travel approximately 10f Kms to the Baidyanath temple in Deogarh.
This year tensions Are rising along the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh due to new government directive that mandates all shops and eateries to clearly display the names of their owners and employees. This order, impacting a large portion of the Yatra route leading to Haridwar in Uttarakhand, has caused concern among local traders , especially from minority communities.
On Friday (19th July ’24) UP Chief Minister mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes should display the identity of the Operator/owner to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products. The government also has given directive to the administration to enforce the use of ID Cards by all the shops in the state that fall along the Kanwar Yatra route has resulted in a political issue between the BJP and the opposition.
The Supreme Court (SC) is set to hear pleas against this controversial order that called for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of the owners on 22nd July.
The issue is that on the Yatra route there are many eateries which are owned by Muslims, and they fear by this order their business will be affected. Their fear is that by reading Muslim names Yatris will not enter their eateries.
In reality, the problem is that many staunch Hindus knowingly avoid entering the eateries owned by the Muslims during any religious Yatra and festival. It is the same way when Muslim refuse to eat Jhatka meat in the Hindu eateries, because they believe in eating halal meat. In the end it is question of belief.
Although this order by UP government has become controversial, but many staunch Hindu followers still believes this order is in right direction.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
22nd July 2024