Chanting slogans of Bam-Bam Bhole, Har-Har Mahadev, Kanwariyas started returning from the Ganges with Kanwad filled

Kanwadias bringing Gangajal from the Ganges. File photo

Highlights

Kanwardhaaris are seen immersed in Shiva devotion while singing praises of Lord Shiva on the streets. There is significance of filling Kanwar twice in Sawan i.e. on Sawan and Mahashivratri. On wearing Kanwar, one has to follow more rules and discipline.

Naiduniya representative, Gwalior. Filling of Kanwar has importance in the region. Generally, the devotees of Lord Shiva bring Kanwar from the Ganges banks of Sauro and Haridwar. They perform Abhishek of the ancient temples of their village and city with the same Ganga water and pray to Lord Mahadev for the desired results.

Some devotees bring Kanwad from the banks of Ganga after their wish or desire is fulfilled. Bringing Kanwad is a tough penance. Kanwadias complete the entire journey barefoot on foot. There is importance of filling Kanwad twice a year, first in Shravan month and second on Mahashivratri.

Niranjan Singh Gaur, Ravi Pal, Balwant Singh Gaur, Manohar Gaur, Saurabh Gaur, Ramnivas Rajak, residents of Khaniyadana in Shivpuri district, said that they had set out with Kanwar from the holy Ganga Ghat of Sauro on the second day of Shravan month on 23rd July. On the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha of Sawan in the ancient temple of the village, they will anoint Lord Shiva with Gangajal in the ancient Shiv temple.

He walks 45 to 50 kilometres every day

The Kanwariyas told that upon wearing the Kanwar, one has to follow more rules and discipline. Firstly, the Kanwar is not kept on the ground under any circumstances. If one Kanwaria rests, the other stands with it on his shoulders. They sleep on the ground and eat satvik food. They walk 44 to 50 kilometers to reach their designated temple on time. These Kanwariyas say that they did not face any problem on the way, because while walking on the highway, a companion keeps making way on the road.