THE HOLY WALK

 

Who is a Kanwaria?

 

Any person whose wish is granted goes to Haridwar and collects holy water from River Ganges and returns home (to the local Shiva temple), carrying the Ganga Jal on a kanwad. Devotees from almost entire North India throng Haridwar during the first fortnight of Shravan.

 

The ritual is carried out as a thanksgiving gesture in fulfillment of a certain wish. The kanwad carrying the pots of holy water can never touch the ground. The Kanwaria cannot sleep on a comfortable bed till the pilgrimage is over and so on & so forth.

 

Saffron dressing, although not compulsory, is a preferred colour. Comprising mostly of youngsters, Kanwarias wear saffron T- shirts with Shiva motifs coupled with either similar colour shorts or lungi, complete with other paraphernalia like rudraksha malas and red bandana.

 

Significance of Walk

 

Starting on the first day of Shravan (July 19 this year) from Haridwar, the Kawarias (because they carry a kanwad with decorated pots of Ganga water) head for the destination where fulfillment of a wish (mannat) has been promised. While moist trek back to their respective hometowns, there are some who travel on bicycles or vehicles. The entire atmosphere reverberates with “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bol Bam” in praise of Lord Shiva. Like every year, the Haridwar – Delhi road would be closed to vehicular traffic till July 31.

 

How did it all started?

 

Mythology tells us that Lord Shiva consumed the poison that surfaced at the time of Samudra Manthan. The Lord, however, did not gulp it down but kept it at his throat, which caused tremendous hear. It is to pacify this hear that Ganga jal is poured over Shivlingas as jalabhishek.