During the Kanwar Yatra in Saavan month, the devotees store the holy water of Ganga River in pitchers and carry it on their shoulders on a small pole made from bamboo known as “Kanwar” from which the Kanvarias derive their name. Know the exact Kanwar yatra 2022 start and end date as well as the Kanwar yatra route. Did you know who started Kanwar yatra? This article will also reveal some amazing facts about Kanwar Yatra.
What Is Kanwar Yatra?
Shiva enthusiasts, known as Kanwariyas, travel annually to Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to collect Ganga water. For Shiv Lingam in temples, they transport the water back to their home regions.
The holy water pitchers are carried by devotees on their shoulders while they balance them on Kanwars, decorative slings. The pilgrims utilize the water to worship Shiva lingam at revered sites, such as the 12 Jyotirlingas, or at particular temples, including Meerut’s Pura Mahadeva and Augharnath Temple, Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Deoghar, Jharkhand’s Baidyanath Dham, or even the devotee’s home village or town.
Kanwar Yatra 2022 Start And End Date
On Thursday, July 14, the Kanwar yatra of 2022 gets underway. Jal’s timing on July 19 is between 12:41 and 12:55 AM. Jal abhishekam happens on Sawan Shivaratri, which falls on July 18.
Kanwar Yatra Route
The Delhi-Moradabad NH-24, Delhi-Roorkee NH-58 via Hapur and Muzaffaranagar, Delhi-Aligarh NH-91, the Ayodhya-Gorakhpur highway, and the Prayagraj-Varanasi highway are some of the significant Kanwar yatra route utilized by Kanwariyas in Uttar Pradesh.
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Who Started Kanwar Yatra?
According to the Hindu Puranas, the history of the Kanwar Yatra is connected to the churning of the Samudra Manthan or Amrit Ocean during the month of Shravan. According to religious texts, the churning of the ocean caused the vish, or poison, to arise before the Amrit.
Lord Shiva drank this poison, and the Amrit, or Nectar of Immortality, was given to the Gods. Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue after ingesting the poison, earning him the epithet “Neelkanth,” and he also experienced burning in his throat. Gods and Devas gave Ganga Water to Lord Shiva in order to lessen the effects of the poison.
Another legend claims that Ravana, a fervent follower of Lord Shiva, transported Ganga water to Puramahadev’s Shiva shrine using a Kanwar. Since this occurred in the month of Shravan, Shiva’s followers continue the custom of showering the Shiv Linga with holy Ganges water each year during this month.
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Facts About Kanwar Yatra
Some amazing facts about Kanwar Yatra are:
- Sultanganj and Deoghar are separated by a distance of 115 kilometers, and the trip takes 4 to 5 days to accomplish. The pilgrims travel barefoot to the renowned Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar after receiving Gangajal or holy water from Sultanganj.
- In reality, the term “Kanwar” refers to the tiny bamboo pole with two earthen pots attached on either end used by people to carry the Gangajal on both shoulders. The Kanvarias balance the earthen pots on their shoulders as they travel, filling them with holy water to pour on the temple of Lord Shiva. Until they get to Baidyanath Dham, the devotees carry this pole on their shoulders.
- According to Hindu mythology, Ravana (who was a great Lord Shiva devotee) had poured Holy water on his lingam at Baidyanath Temple to reduce the negative effects of the poison.
- It can be said that all the devotees who pour Ganagajal on the Shiva Lingam, appease the Lord. Lord Shiva, in return, cares for his devotees and blesses them with happiness.
- The River Ganga at Sultanganj in Bihar, is the only place where it takes a north turn. This is a miracle of Lord Shiva, from whose locks the river Ganga descends on earth.
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Kanwar Yatra In Saavan
Three to four times as many devotees as the Mahakumbh are anticipated to attend the Kanwar Yatra. Compared to the over 9 million pilgrims who visited Mahakumbh over a 15-day period, between 30 to 40 million pilgrims are likely to travel to Uttarakhand.
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