Kanwar Yatra 2025 (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: One of the major traditions of India's diverse religious traditions is the Kanwar Yatra, which is celebrated every year in the month of Sawan with great reverence and devotion.
This journey is considered a symbol of enthusiasm, dedication, and penance of Shiva devotees. Carrying a Kanwar filled with Ganga water on their heads, chanting "Bol Bam," millions of devotees travel hundreds of kilometers. But it is equally interesting to know how old the roots of this religious tradition are.
Started from the Ramayana period
According to religious beliefs, the beginning of the Kanwar Yatra is believed to be in the Treta Yuga. Shravan Kumar, who is famous for serving his parents, took them to Haridwar in a Kanwar. There he made his parents take a bath in the Ganga, and this journey became the first example of the Kanwar Yatra.
Parshuram: The first Shiva devotee Kanwaria
It is mentioned in some Puranas that Lord Parshuram is considered to be the first Shiva devotee Kanwaria. He brought Gangajal from Garhmukteshwar to perform Abhishek of Lord Shiva at Pura Mahadev temple located in the Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh. This further strengthened the tradition of Kanwar Yatra in Sawan.
Faith of Shri Ram and Ravana
There is mention of Lord Shri Ram also doing Kanwar Yatra. He filled Gangajal from Sultanganj and performed Jalabhishek at the famous Baba Baidyanath Dham of Jharkhand. At the same time, according to another belief, when Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahal, his throat started burning a lot. At that time Ravana filled cold water in Kanwar and offered it to him.
Living tradition even in the modern era
Even today, Kanwar Yatra is celebrated as a special festival in North India. Lakhs of Shiva devotees participate in this journey in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar. Bringing Gangajal from major places like Haridwar, Garhmukteshwar, and Sultanganj and offering water in Shiva temples is considered a sacred ritual.
Importance of Kanwar Yatra
This journey undertaken to obtain the blessings of Lord Shiva has been described as extremely virtuous in the scriptures. It is believed that any devotee who undertakes this journey with full devotion and rules has all his sins destroyed and gets happiness, peace, and prosperity in life.
