Viral Video: This month of Sawan, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has shown more eagerness and zeal among Kanwadis, that devotees who undertake the Kanwad Yatra. This annual pilgrimage to carry sacred water from the Ganges to the Shiva temples captivated general attention, especially on social media. Of the many viral videos going around, one created a lot of buzz and varied reactions.
Kanwadi Dances on Glass Plate During Kanwad Yatra in Greater Noida
The video shared by the account TRUE STORY shows a Kanwadi dancing without shoes on top of a plate strewn with sharp pieces of glass. Taken near Badalpur in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the clip depicts the Kanwadi performing an extraordinary and dangerous act in the devotional chants of “Har Har Mahadev.” In the video, this act of the Kanwadi was done behind a tractor where there was a big plate of glass.
In the video, the devotee has been captured so engrossed in Lord Shiva that he starts dancing on that hazardous surface. It was unbelievable to see the act of those bare feet treading across fragments of glass with the footage of the devotional hymns. While many questions have cropped up about the safety and rationale behind such acts of devotion, some interpret it as a deep-rooted display of faith.
Examining the Limits of Religious Devotion in Kanwad Yatra
The video drew different kinds of reactions from viewers. Some of them are concerned by the safety of the devotee and what lies behind such acts of wisdom. Others believe that it showcases the level of faith and commitment that Kanwadis have during Sawan. This mixed reaction simply brings to the fore the spectrum of beliefs and practices that characterize the Kanwad Yatra.
It has gone viral with thousands of views and heated debates on the extremes that religious devotion can go to. It represents the frenzy of the bakts, as much as it does the myriad forms of exhibitions of faith during these holy times. At the same time, as the Kanwad Yatra continues, such stunning exhibitions of devotion are likely to remain in the limelight of admiration and controversy.