Photos| When Bholenath calls: Tracing the Kanwar Yatra | Hindustan Times
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Photos| When Bholenath calls: Tracing the Kanwar Yatra

Updated On Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

As numbers swell annually among participants to the Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage dedicated to Shiva occuring in the Hindu month of Savan or Shravan, a look at what drives groups of young men to take on the journey.

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A monsoon ritual once known only in pockets of the Gangetic plains, the Kanwar Yatra is today India’s biggest annual pilgrimage. Where only a few thousands made the journey until the 1980s, around 20 million carried the kanwar between Haridwar and Delhi in 2016. Clad in saffron robes and balancing urns of Gangajal along hundreds of kilometres, here’s a look at the journey and motivations that draw these men to the pilgrimage in larger numbers each year. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

A monsoon ritual once known only in pockets of the Gangetic plains, the Kanwar Yatra is today India’s biggest annual pilgrimage. Where only a few thousands made the journey until the 1980s, around 20 million carried the kanwar between Haridwar and Delhi in 2016. Clad in saffron robes and balancing urns of Gangajal along hundreds of kilometres, here’s a look at the journey and motivations that draw these men to the pilgrimage in larger numbers each year. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Occurring in the Hindu month of Savan, the journey of the Kanwariya revolves around the kanwar, traditionally a bamboo pole with urns containing water from the River Ganga which is transported by the pilgrims from holy sites such as Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh as an offering to the Shiva temple back home. The aim of the pilgrimage is to chant the name of Bholenath (a name for Shiva meaning Lord of the innocent) and return without spilling a drop of the water. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

Occurring in the Hindu month of Savan, the journey of the Kanwariya revolves around the kanwar, traditionally a bamboo pole with urns containing water from the River Ganga which is transported by the pilgrims from holy sites such as Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh as an offering to the Shiva temple back home. The aim of the pilgrimage is to chant the name of Bholenath (a name for Shiva meaning Lord of the innocent) and return without spilling a drop of the water. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The method of transporting the holy water is left up to the devotee undertaking the task. The journey in older times would only draw saints or the elderly walking to and fro with simple kanwars, but rising popularity since the 1980s has swung demographics towards a younger and more masculine crowd. Kanwariyas may undertake the journey solo, with elaborate kanwars that may not touch the ground or even as a team, using motorcycles and trucks to run relays without a pause in the movement of the Gangajal. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

The method of transporting the holy water is left up to the devotee undertaking the task. The journey in older times would only draw saints or the elderly walking to and fro with simple kanwars, but rising popularity since the 1980s has swung demographics towards a younger and more masculine crowd. Kanwariyas may undertake the journey solo, with elaborate kanwars that may not touch the ground or even as a team, using motorcycles and trucks to run relays without a pause in the movement of the Gangajal. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The annual Kanwar Yatra spells a disruption in normal life for North India with the kanwars taking over public life, occupying roads and public spaces, causing traffic congestions and altercations that often make headlines. This season alone, kanwariyas have been in news for falling off trains, being electrocuted on a street, being hit by a bus, vandalizing buses, blocking highways, blowing up a police vehicle and later a police station. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

The annual Kanwar Yatra spells a disruption in normal life for North India with the kanwars taking over public life, occupying roads and public spaces, causing traffic congestions and altercations that often make headlines. This season alone, kanwariyas have been in news for falling off trains, being electrocuted on a street, being hit by a bus, vandalizing buses, blocking highways, blowing up a police vehicle and later a police station. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The arrival of the kanwars in Haridwar spells the deployment of special police battalions, while in Delhi is means a shutdown of schools. Along the highway from Delhi to Haridwar, unofficial bans on the sale of meat and poultry and the lockdown or concealment of eateries that serve non-vegetarian food to prevent altercations based on religious sentiments can be observed. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

The arrival of the kanwars in Haridwar spells the deployment of special police battalions, while in Delhi is means a shutdown of schools. Along the highway from Delhi to Haridwar, unofficial bans on the sale of meat and poultry and the lockdown or concealment of eateries that serve non-vegetarian food to prevent altercations based on religious sentiments can be observed. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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A vast majority of the young men taking part in the pilgrimage come from low-income families in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, often hanging on to the edges of the informal economy as drivers, labourers and security guards. Many are the first generation among their families to take up occupations beyond the farms and pool resources towards a collective fund to make the journey. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

A vast majority of the young men taking part in the pilgrimage come from low-income families in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, often hanging on to the edges of the informal economy as drivers, labourers and security guards. Many are the first generation among their families to take up occupations beyond the farms and pool resources towards a collective fund to make the journey. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The usual response of being called to the journey by Bholenath himself masks behind it a momentary escape from the uncertainties of daily life and the rigors of eking out incomes, giving these men a chance to prove their physical strength, resourcefulness and wit along the route. The yatra period gives the kanwariyas an experience of life beyond caste or class boundaries -- they are provided free meals, discounts by shopkeepers and are served upon by locals vying divine favour through these saffron clad men out on a journey to holiness. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

The usual response of being called to the journey by Bholenath himself masks behind it a momentary escape from the uncertainties of daily life and the rigors of eking out incomes, giving these men a chance to prove their physical strength, resourcefulness and wit along the route. The yatra period gives the kanwariyas an experience of life beyond caste or class boundaries -- they are provided free meals, discounts by shopkeepers and are served upon by locals vying divine favour through these saffron clad men out on a journey to holiness. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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For others on the yatra trail the period is an experience of camaraderie among men sharing a purpose and sense of identity. Religion may not feature as heavily on their agenda with the constant sprinting, speakers blaring music from the back of trucks, the accompanied dancing, shows of strength with their hockey sticks and the occasional high, peppered with the name of Bhole. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jul 22, 2017 02:58 PM IST

For others on the yatra trail the period is an experience of camaraderie among men sharing a purpose and sense of identity. Religion may not feature as heavily on their agenda with the constant sprinting, speakers blaring music from the back of trucks, the accompanied dancing, shows of strength with their hockey sticks and the occasional high, peppered with the name of Bhole. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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