Kanwar Yatra 2024: Thousands of Hindus from every region of the country started their Kanwar Yatra on 22 July, heralding the commencement of the holy month of Sawan. This month has been dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered very important in regards to spiritual energy and mass worship. The first Monday of the Hindu lunar month of Shraavana is a very special day for the devotees, known as Shravan Somvar Vrat.
CM Yogi Adityanath Highlights Global Significance of Sawan Month and Kanwar Yatra
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the month was very auspicious, and it is an established tradition that a month of Sawan, which is Lord Shiva, is globally famous. “Lord Shiva’s auspicious month of Sawan has already commenced. The Kanwar Yatra of Sawan month is known to the whole world. The devotees of Lord Shiva are performing Jalabhishek at Shiva Mandir across the country.” His statement was so clear and depicted how facts emerge during this spiritual Yatra pilgrimage.
Both state and central governments have made elaborate arrangements for their devotees, anticipating lakhs of devotees coming from different parts of the country. The CM has assured full measures in place, which includes security measures together with drones and cameras, besides arrangements for stay and food. He called upon them to keep self-discipline and dedication throughout the journey. “Proper arrangements have been made by the state and the central government for the safe and secure Yatra of the devotees, so that no devotee faces any issue while Yatra goes on. The blessings of Lord Shiva always remain on us. It’s my humble request to all the devotees that we all are Shiva devotees and his blessing is always upon us. All this becomes impossible without self-discipline. To complete this journey, one has to have dedication and discipline within oneself,” he said.
A Month of Fasting, Worship, and Devotion to Lord Shiva
The month of Sawan usually falls between July and August and is characterized by fervent worship, fasting, and pilgrimage to Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and transformation. The mythology of the Hindus is that at the time of samundra manthan, that is ocean churning, Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out and saved the universe from its ill effects. It is this very self-sacrifice for the goodwill of humanity that the devotees observe through fasting and worship during Sawan.
Devout Hindus keep fasts on Shravan Somvar, or Mondays of Sawan. The fasts are fairly tough and may not include grains, entailing only fruits, milk, and selective permissible foods. The worship of Shiva is common throughout the month, and in nearly every household and temple, one can find an atmosphere saturated with the chanting of Shiva mantras, singing bhajans, and worshipping with Rudrabhishek (a ritual of worshipping by bathing Shiva Lingam).
Another important characteristic of the month of Sawan is the Kanwar Yatra, which means pious journey for Lord Shiva. Carrying the Kanwar by devotees symbolizes their devotion and dedication to Lord Shiva. It has indeed morphed into yet one more meaningful pilgrimage event that showcases the faith of lakhs of people.
The holy month of Shravana comes as a month of dedication, self-control, and spiritual soul-searching for devotees who are doing this Kanwar Yatra. The journey is both religious duty and an expression of soulful dedication to Lord Shiva with support from governmental arrangements and eternal faith by the people.