India Today Explains: Kanwar Yatra and its significance

India Today

In this episode of India Today Explains, Akshita Nandagopal talks about Kanwar Yatra - the annual Hindu pilgrimage, which sees lakhs of devotees known as Kanwariyas undertake a journey to holy sites like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri.

Transcript

00:00Lacks of people walking barefoot, clothed in saffron, with bamboo sticks balanced on their shoulders.

00:07If you've seen these images and often wondered who they are, where they're headed to, let's break it all down for you.

00:13These are Hindu devotees or Kavadiyas who take part in an annual pilgrimage called the Kavadiyatra.

00:20As part of this Yatra, devotees walk thousands of kilometers with the bare necessities living on the road.

00:26The Kavadiyatra is primarily a pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva, who undertake this journey to express their devotion to seek his blessings.

00:36So during the annual pilgrimage, these devotees walk all the way to holy sites like Haridwar, Gaumuk and Gangotri.

00:43Essentially, the journey is to the banks of the Ganges.

00:47The Kavadiyas make this journey to collect holy water from the Ganges.

00:50They collect the water in massive vessels, which is hung on either side of a bamboo stick over their shoulders.

00:57And that's what's referred to as a Kavad, hence the word Kavadiyatra.

01:01Once they reach their destination, they collect this water and then carry it back to their local Shiva temple.

01:07So what's the significance of this gesture?

01:10Kavadiyatra is related to the churning of the ocean of milk in the Hindu Puranas.

01:15Shiva consumed poison that was burning the world.

01:18But after consuming it, he started suffering from the negative energy of the poison.

01:23So Shiva's devout follower Rama brought holy water of Ganga by using this Kavad and poured it on Shiva's temple.

01:32This ensured Shiva's release from the negative energy of the poison.

01:37Kavadiyas have several rules to follow while they're on this journey.

01:41They must maintain purity in all aspects of their journey.

01:44So thoughts, words, actions, all matters.

01:46They cannot consume alcohol, cannot consume tobacco or other intoxicants at this time.

01:52They're also not allowed any contact with leather, which is why they do the entire journey barefoot.

01:58Also no luxuries.

01:59They're not allowed to sleep on beds or cots.

02:02They must sleep on the ground during this time.

02:04Once a Kavadiyar fills the cupboard with water, the vessels that I told you about,

02:09he or she cannot place it on the ground.

02:11If it does touch the ground, the journey then must begin from scratch, must be restarted.

02:17The Yatra is traditionally held during the month of Shravan, also known as Savan,

02:21which is considered particularly auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva.

02:25This usually falls sometime in the months of July to August.

02:28While most pilgrims, most Kavadiyas are men, a few women also participate in the Yatra.

02:35And most travel the entire distance on foot.

02:37You will see a few traveling also on bicycles, motorbikes, scooters, even mini trucks or jeeps.

02:43Numerous Hindu organizations at this time set up camps along the national highways for the Yatra.

02:49Food, shelter, medical aid is provided.

02:52This time, the Kavadiyatra is for 13 days from July 11th to July 23rd.

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