Know the Reason Why Kanwar is filled Only in Haridwar

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With the start of Lunar month of Shravan (Falls mostly in the month of July), you can see several Kanvaries taking pitchers of Ganga Jal (Holy Water from River Ganga) tied with a bamboo to carry easily on shoulders on roads. Many devotees travel hundreds of miles taking water from Ganga river and to offer to local Shiva temple or specific temples including Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Aughanath temple in Meerut, Pura Mahadeva temple in Baghpat district and Baidyanath temple in Deoghar. The state government of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand makes special arrangement, including changes in the routes of public transport buses and others for the safety of the piligrims.

Tradition Outside India

Hindus leaving in Maritius also follow the tradition by travelling to Ganga Talao on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, many of them goes bare feet to carry Kanvars.

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History

The tradition of Kanwar yatra is related to Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk), when Lord Shiva inhaled poison to safe the world from heat but he himself suffered due ton negative energy of poison. Shiva’s follower Ravana carried out holy water from Ganga by using Kanwar and poured it to on Puramahadev which gave a relief to Lord after which tradition of carrying pitchers is followed by all Shiva devotee.

Why Pitchers are filled only in Haridwar?

Many people know about the tradition of taking pitchers of Ganga water and offering it to Lord Shiva, but there is always a question in mind that why Kanwar are filled only in Haridwar as many other cities also have Ganga river? Haridwar is said to be the in-law's house of Lord Shiva due to his marriage with Goddess Sati. According to Hindu tradition, Lord promised to spend one month of Shravan in his in-law's house.

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Hindu Muslim Unity

It is also observed that many Muslim artisans are engaged in designing and making kanwars and feels proud in serving Bholenath. So the festival bring joy to both communities and is a reason for celebration.

Bam Bam Bhole Slogan

If you have noticed kanwarias, most of them chants Bam Bam Bhole slogan while carrying these Kanwar. Bhole is referred to Lord Shiva, which means innocent. Also, he is called Bhole Baba means innocent saint. The Bam Bam slogan came from the old story of Lord Shiva and Sati. When Sati went to her father's home during a yagya without invitation, she felt insulted and burned herself in the same yagya. At the same time, Shiv Gana (followers of Lord Shiva) destroyed whole the yagya and beheaded Daksha Prajapati. Following the dispute, all the devs requested Lord Shiva to complete the yagya for prosperity of the world and Daksha Prajapati was given life again by joining the head of a goat. He worshiped Lord Shiva with the words "Bam Bam" and asked for pardon. Since then, Lord Shiva is worshipped with the chant "Bam Bam Bhole."