Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva. It is one of the most important practice under which Kanwariyas (devotees) fetch holy water from the Ganga River (usually from Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri).
The Kanwar Yatra is the practice in which people pick the sacred jal to the sacred river and cover the distance to the famous Shivlinga to offer the same. The Kanwad yatri who are part of the holy mission to offer the sacred people to the Shivlinga is known as Kanwariyas. In fact, the Kanwar Yatra is more than a religious ritual as it is directly related to a kind of a spiritual journey which demands from the Kanwariya as a test of will, and an expression of deep love for Lord Shiva.
Kanwar Yatra is especially observed in the month of Sawan (Shravan) in India to all the famous Shivlinga including Haridwar, Gaumukh, Baidyanath, Neelkanth, Kashi Vishwanath, etc. There are many types of Kanwar Yatra and it can be broadly categorized into the different types based on how the devotees perform the journey including Dak Kanwar, Baithi Kanwar, Cycle/Bike/Vehicle Kanwar etc. You will get here all the details about the Kanwad yatra, why it's celebrated in Sawan, and the types of Kanwar Yatra and much more.
What is Kanwar Yatra?
Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva under which they pick the holy water and officer the same to the famous Shivlinga. The holy yatra is known as the Kanwad yatra during which devotees travel—mostly on foot—to fetch the holy water of the Ganga River from places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri, or Sultanganj. As per the devotion and display their devotion to lord Shiva, they decorate the Kanwad i.e. the device through which they carry the pots (kanwars). After covering a long distance they offer it to the Shivlingas at local or well-known Shiva temples, especially the famous Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) in Jharkhand or Neelkanth Mahadev in Uttarakhand.
Why is Kanwar Yatra Celebrated in the Month of Sawan?
As per the Hindu mythology, tThe holy month Sawan or Shravan is the month which is the occassiion to worshhip Lord Shiva's and offer the holy water. The entire month Saavan is suitable for devotees to worship Lord Shipa.
According to Hindu scriptures, the month of Sawan is considered the holiest for worshiping Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Lord Shiva drank the poison (Halahal) that emerged during Samudra Manthan to save the world. It has been said that Lord Shiva held the poison in his throat (becoming Neelkanth), devotees offer Ganga Jal on Shivling to cool him down and expressing their devotion and gratitude by offering water to the Shivlinga, devotees use to get blessing from Lord Shiva.
Offering Ganga water in Sawan is believed to grant blessings, health, wealth, and freedom from sins and past karmas.
Types of Kanwar Yatra:
Kanwar Yatra can be broadly categorized into the following types based on how the devotees perform the journey:
Dak Kanwar
The fastest form of Kanwar Yatra in which the devotees run or jog without stopping from the Ganga source to the temple and it is considered as a difficult way of Kanwad yatra. It is the difficult way of Kanwad yatra which is usually done in one continuous stretch, without sleeping. As per hindu mythology, the holy water is offered to Shiva within 24 hours after picking from the holy river.
Baithi Kanwar
Under the practice of the Baithi Kanwad, the kanwar is never placed on the ground during the entire journey. Devotees use to carry it alternatively or use shoulders, but ensure it doesn’t touch the ground after picking from the holy river.
Khadi Kanwar
The Kanwar is placed standing upright when devotees rest and i should not fall or tilt—considered inauspicious if it does.
Jhoola Kanwar
The Kanwar is carried by hanging on a pole balanced on the shoulders.Water pots are suspended on either end, maintaining balance.
Sankalp Kanwar
As per the Sankalp kanwar, it has been said that the devotees will have to offer the holy water in the state of complete fast. The Kanwariays used to remain on fasting till water is offered to the Shivlinga.
Cycle/Bike/Vehicle Kanwar: It is the moder ada ptation of the Kanwad yatra under which Kanwariyas use cycles, bikes, or even trucks to travel long distances.
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