The holy month of Shravan in Hindu tradition has begun that can be easily recognized with the queues in Shiv temples to offer the water or milk on the epitome of Shiva or Shivling. Along with this, you can also spot the roads and highways with the Shiva devotees in saffron clothes. These devotees walk to their destination, i.e. Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri to fetch Ganga water from there, and are known as kawadrathi. On the way, they sing Shiv bhajans to show that they are out and their purpose to be out on the roads.
This yatra is known as Kawad Yatra and the word kawad refers to a single pole or a stick that has two pots suspended at its either end. These two pots are filled with Ganga water that is offered to Shiv’s embodiment. Kawadrathi have to follow the aspect in the course of their whole yatra that the pots should not touch the ground.
There is a myth behind this festival that God Shiva had drunk the poison that freed the ‘amrit’ for all the good human beings. Once kawadrathis are back from their journey, they offer Ganga water to Shiv linga in the local Shiv temples on the day of Amavasya on Maha Shivratri Day.
This barefoot journey of around 250 kms is not easy. However, it is allowed to use vehicles for the journey as this yatra is all about the devotion. On the highway, many helping hands provide food, shelter, and medical services to these kawadrathis. It has been estimated that every year 55 lakh pilgrims visit Haridwar to get the Ganga water. On the return journey, these devotees dance all the way chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’, or ‘Bam Bam Bhole’.
This ‘Kawad Yatra’ is otherwise known as Bol Bam and is widely celebrated with extreme enthusiasm.
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