
HistoriCity: From sacred waters to shrines, the Kanwar Yatra's spiritual trail
Water, the elixir of life, has been worshipped universally and eternally. Temples and shrines have come up around water bodies and hot springs considered to have healing properties—from lesser-known examples such as the nearly 300-year-old Parsi Bhikha Behram sweet water well in Mumbai, to the 16th-century Amrit Sarovar (water tank) at Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest site. Bathing, as a ritual, is a prerequisite for religious ceremonies such as sacrifice, consecration, daily worship, and even before more mundane tasks such as the consumption of food.
Its importance is elemental, and both its indispensability to life and its capacity to destroy accord it divine status. There exist a plethora of myths and tales surrounding it, paying homage to both its life-giving and destructive capacities—the apocryphal story of a great deluge being a prominent legend across cultures and religions, from Hinduism to Christianity. Mythology also covers narratives of gods, kings, and sages mitigating the destructive powers of Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga through their own special austerities and strengths.
According to the most prevalent Hindu legend, the Ikshvaku king Bhagiratha appeased Shiva to ensure that when Ganga descends from heaven (read: the Himalayas) to earth (the Gangetic plains), the river's force doesn't destroy everything in its course. Shiva obliges, his matted hair acting as a series of check dams to slow down the mighty river.
The collective trauma of times when there was water scarcity is also so deep in the human psyche that its sources have been sought to be controlled, and its use bound by strict codes. The powerful elite have therefore historically controlled riverfronts, wells, springs, and lakes to pacify populations and subjects. One of the earliest recorded instances of rulers constructing a dam comes to us from Saurashtra, a historically arid region of western India. A rock inscription dated to 150 CE records the commissioning of Sudarshan Lake by Rudradaman of the Western Satraps dynasty. Even more interestingly, it contains references to the contributions of two previous kings—the lake's original builder, Chandragupta Maurya (reigned: 321–297 BCE), and his grandson, Emperor Ashoka (reigned: 268–232 BCE).
Also Read: Traffic diversions in Ghaziabad for Kanwar Yatra
The association of ritual purity with the waters of sacred rivers set in during the later Vedic period (1000–500 BCE) and, by the time of Buddha, had acquired the form of full-fledged water cults who believed that ritually bathing in holy waters had expiatory power. This belief remains strong among millions of Hindus who throng pilgrim spots along rivers to wash their sins. Interestingly, Buddha rejected the idea that sins could be expiated by bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganga and instead claimed that this could only be achieved by 'inner washing'—that is, morality and meditation.
Kanwar Yatra
Given that neither medieval-era records nor documents from British colonial rule allude to a mass pilgrimage like the Kanwar Yatra, it's hard to establish its historicity.
The Kanwar Yatra involves walking to a holy river to bring back its sacred water to ritualistically bathe either a personal idol of Shiva or one at a highly revered temple. Several other Yatras have mushroomed in Hindi-speaking regions of India since the 1990s.
Two Kanwar Yatras are considered the biggest in India. Both are along the Ganga; while the one that starts from Garh Mukteshwar—from where devotees carry water in pots to a famous temple near Baghpat—is better known as one of its routes passes through Delhi, the national capital, the other takes place in Jharkhand, which was previously a part of Bihar, and is less known.
Also Read: Kanwar Yatra 2025: Delhi issues travel advisory for annual pilgrimage
Both are also associated with epic legends — the one in the north with sage Parashurama, who exterminated numerous Kshatriya clans; the one in Bihar with Lord Rama, who, it is believed, worshipped at the Ajgaivinath temple on the Ganga before going to war with Ravan.
Buddha's copper statue discovered at Kanwar site in 1861
Interestingly, the Ajgaivinath temple, situated in Sultanganj district (earlier a part of Bhagalpur district), is also an extremely important Buddhist site where a finely sculpted solid copper statue of the Buddha was discovered while the British East India Company was carrying out digging work for the local railway station.
The statue has been dated to the 3rd century CE, and its weight (500 kg) and size (seven feet) show that Buddhism once thrived in this region. There are numerous other rock-cut sculptures of the Buddha and other Bodhisattvas at Ajgaivinath. It appears from Hindu sculptures of Vishnu, Uma and Parvati, and Shiva that after the 5th century, both Shaivite and Vaishnavite adherents had a presence at the site.
Also Read: Five-year-old's maiden Kanwar Yatra with father
British civil servant J. Byrne wrote in the 1901 Gazetteer of Bhagalpur, 'the place was originally esteemed holy by the Buddhists. As both Buddhist and Hindu carvings are found, it is safe to conclude that the Hindus appropriated this sacred place on the downfall of Buddhism.' However, it is quite possible that both Buddhism and Brahminical gods were patronised by the laity and the ruling class.
HistoriCity is a column by author Valay Singh that narrates the story of a city that is in the news, by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal.

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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Schools Closed Today In These Districts Across India Due To Kanwar Yatra
Schools are closed today in several districts of UP, Uttarakhand, MP, and Haryana due to the Kanwar Yatra and Sawan festivities. As the holy month of Sawan unfolds, districts across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana are witnessing a massive influx of Kanwariyas, devotees of Lord Shiva, participating in the annual Kanwar Yatra. In view of heavy pilgrim movement, traffic disruptions, and safety concerns, local administrations have announced school holidays on Sawan Mondays and specific dates in several regions. These proactive measures aim to ensure the safety of students and manage the overwhelming footfall during this sacred period. Schools along major Kanwar routes will remain closed as devotees undertake their barefoot journeys to offer holy water to Shiva temples. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 09:37 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Devotion knows no bounds, young kanwariyas brave 120km journey
1 2 Prayagraj: Madhav and his three friends, all SSC aspirants from Bharwari in Kaushambi district, embarked on the Kanwar Yatra on Sunday to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. They began their journey from Dashaswamedh Ghat, where they collected holy water from the Ganga on Sunday. With strong devotion to Lord Shiva, they believe their faith will guide them in their competitive exam preparations. The group is currently participating in the Shrawan month festivities, seeking blessings for their future endeavours. The trio, aged 20, will undertake a 120km barefoot journey to offer Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, embracing the traditional kanwariya pilgrimage. With unwavering devotion, they'll walk alongside other Kanwariyas , immersing themselves in the spiritual fervour of the Shrawan month. For these young SSC aspirants, this pilgrimage is a testament to their faith and a chance to seek divine blessings. On Sunday, scores of groups of kanwariyas left Sangam after fetching holy Ganga water and moved straight towards Kashi for their pilgrimage. Twenty-four-year-old Ashok, a kanwariya from Pratapgarh, said, "Once you determine your will, you experience divine power to complete your Kanwar Yatra, as Lord Shiva gives inner strength to reach your destination." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Insurance Company Hopes You NEVER See This Page – Here's Why AutoTrends Undo He said, "Apart from pursuing our graduation, I, along with my five friends of the same age group, decided to go for Kanwar Yatra for the third time to get our wishes fulfilled... We will cover the long distance with full devotion towards our beloved deity." Young kanwariyas from rural areas are enthusiastically participating in their first pilgrimage, drawn by the reputation and respect accorded to those who undertake the Kanwar Yatra. With energy and devotion, they're embarking on this spiritual journey to Kashi and Padila Mahadev, carrying holy water from the Ganga. This experience is not only a testament to their faith but also a chance to connect with their community's traditions. Rahul, another young kanwariya, said, "Before leaving for Kanwar Yatra, we learnt the basics of the holy journey from our elders and decided to follow the same path." "I was 17 when I first became part of Kanwar Yatra with my cousin. I still have fresh memories of the first Kanwar Yatra, and we are forming groups every year for the pilgrimage," he added. Police officials overseeing security at Daraganj and nearby ghats report a significant influx of kanwariyas, predominantly aged 18-30, arriving to collect holy water from the Ganga. The number of pilgrims is expected to swell in the coming days as more devotees from across the state join the Kanwar Yatra. Authorities are gearing up to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the kanwariyas.


India Gazette
12 hours ago
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: SDRF rescues 6 Kanwariyas in drowning incidents at Haridwar
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], July 13 (ANI): Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force rescued around six Kanwariyas from drowning in separate incidents at Kangra Ghat in Haridwar, the SDRF said. The State is witnessing heavy rainfall, causing the Ganga River's water level to rise significantly and creating strong currents. Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramod Singh Dobal said,' The CM had directed Haridwar Police that all Kanwar yatris should be welcomed warmly in Haridwar. We have made arrangements for their convenience. The Kanwar track was created keeping this in mind. One or two incidents took place where some minor clashes broke out. Haridwar Police has taken strict action. Haridwar Police welcomes all devotees, but nobody can take law and order into their hands.' Rishikesh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lokeshwer Singh shared details on the enhanced arrangements, which include the deployment of two drones for aerial surveillance over key routes and traffic management. He added that medical teams, SDRF, and Forest QRT teams have been assigned to ensure safety and address potential wildlife conflicts. Speaking to ANI, SSP said, 'We are using two drones for aerial surveillance of the routes and traffic management. More than 1000 police officers have been deployed across Lakshman Jhula and Rishikesh. To surveil the route to Neelkanth Mahadev, a control room has been set up in the Laksham Jhula area in our Police Station and SSP Office. More than 40 cameras are being monitored here, covering all the Ghats of the Lakshaman Jhula and Rishikesh, and the walkable paths and traffic routes.' 'In addition to the police presence, SDRF has been deployed along the route. Medical outposts have been set up across the route. Forest QRT teams have also been deployed to look after conflicts with wildlife,' he said. Earlier this week, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged devotees to remain mindful of cleanliness and strictly follow the rules during the Kanwar Yatra. Speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister highlighted the elaborate arrangements made to ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra. 'Kanwar Yatra is very important for us. We hold a major Kanwar Mela. People from across the country come here. The centre for this is Haridwar and the adjoining areas. In a situation like this, several arrangements have to be made. This year too, we have been holding review meetings with people in the administration, the Police department and the district administration to ensure a smooth Yatra. I had a meeting with all departments in Haridwar in the recent past. Senior officers held an inter-state meeting before that. We urge everyone to be mindful of cleanliness and follow the rules of the Yatra. We welcome everyone,' Dhami said. He further said, 'Our verification drive (of vendors) is ongoing. We want Kanwar Yatra to be clean like every Yatra.' Reacting on the same occasion, Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobhal stated that the administration is continuously monitoring the Kanwar Yatra to ensure that no one faces any inconvenience. In the Kanwar Yatra procession, Kanwariyas collect water from a river and carry it hundreds of kilometres to offer it to the shrines of Lord Shiva. Devotees across the country perform worship, fast and dedicate the pilgrimage to the Lord Shiva. (ANI)