Kavad yatra is an auspicious pilgrimage for all the devotees of Lord Shiva observed annually. This Yatra is also known as Jal Yatra, the bearer in the yatra is known as Kanwariyas. The kanwariyas visit Haridwar,Gangotri and Gaumukh in Uttarakhand to fetch water from Holy Ganges to offer to Lord Shiva.
When will the kavad yatra start?
The Kavad Yatra 2021 will begin from July 24,Saturday and end on August6, 2021.The Kavad is a pole with two water pots tied on either side.This is kept on the shoulder as the devotees walk toward their destination. These devotees because of carrying these kanvars on their shoulders are called Kanvariyas.
Story Behind Kavad Yatra
As per the Puranas, during the ocean churning and samundra manthan, in the month of Shravan(सावन), fourteen kinds of rubies came out of it, which were distributed among gods and demons, leaving the halahal (poison) behind, which was consumed by Lord Shiva, and stored in his throat, giving him name of Neelkanth ( meaning blue throat).
Rituals In Kavad Yatra
During the yatra kawariyas(pilgrimage) carry kavad on their shoulders till they reach their destination. They all wear saffron colored clothes and walk barefooted. After they reach their hometown they all do jal abhishek in Lord Shiva temple.The Kanvarias walk in groups during this holy yatra. While most of them travel the distance on foot, some devotees even use bicycles, scooters, motor cycles, jeeps or mini trucks to cover this journey.
Significance of Kavad Yatra
By practicing this form of worship, the Kanvars take a spiritual halt and try to relax their mind by chanting religious hymns. It is taken as a form of diversion to get away from the tough and negative situations and through the journey get heartening ideas. It is a known fact that a mind can get creative only when it is relaxed.
Will Kavad Yatra take place?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that he has spoken to his government and officials of the neighbouring states government in this regard and has decided that kanwar yatra will not be conducted. We don’t want Haridwar to become the centre of Corona, he added.
The state police has also shown a strong stand following the Uttarakhand government’s order cancelling the Kanwar Yatra 2021. In Haridwar district, where lakhs of kanwarias come to collect water, the police have categorically said that no kanwaria should reach Haridwar to fill the water or legal action will be taken.
