The annual Kanwar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva, begins as millions of devotees embark on a sacred journey across central India. Kanwariyas, as the pilgrims are known, travel on foot to collect holy water from the Ganges River, carrying it back to local Shiva temples. This month-long event, concentrated in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, sees devotees seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual purification through their arduous trek and ritualistic offerings.
#KanwarYatra #Kanwar2024 #KanwarHaridwar #Chhatisgarh #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~PR.320~HT.125~HT.318~ED.103~
#KanwarYatra #Kanwar2024 #KanwarHaridwar #Chhatisgarh #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~PR.320~HT.125~HT.318~ED.103~
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00:00Whether it is the month of monsoon or the month of Kavrati,
00:04the joy is different.
00:06And the place where we are right now is Merat.
00:10This is the Dehradun road of Merat, where there are thousands of Kavratis.
00:16There is a great bhakti bhajan going on here.
00:20People are dancing and dancing.
00:30Every year, as the auspicious month of Shravan commences,
00:46millions of devotees embark on a sacred journey known as the Kavar Yatra in India.
00:52This journey steeped in devotion and tradition takes place across various parts of the country
00:58with a significant concentration in the central regions,
01:02encompassing states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
01:18You will see Kavratis from far and wide.
01:21And they are very big.
01:22They are not small.
01:24Look, they are very big.
01:25I will move aside.
01:26They are very big.
01:28I am coming closer to them.
01:30Let's go a little further.
01:32Look here.
01:33This is a place to rest.
01:34I would like to show you here.
01:36There are Kavratis everywhere.
01:38There are people everywhere.
01:39Kavratis are resting a little.
01:41The Kavar Yatra is a Hindu trek dedicated to Lord Shiva.
01:49Devotees known as Kavaryas travel on foot to collect holy water from the Ganges River,
01:55which then they carry back to their local Shiva temples.
01:59This water is used to bathe the Shiva lingams,
02:02seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual purification.
02:25How long have you been doing this?
02:27I have been doing this for 45 years.
02:29He has been doing this for more than 50 years.
02:31The Kavar Yatras are very passionate.
02:33They don't care about age.
02:35They only care about devotion.
02:37And they are roaming around in the name of devotion.
02:39They are chanting the name of Lord Shiva.
02:41They are singing different devotional songs.
02:56Here, the journey often begins at the Ghats of the Ganges,
03:00in places like Varanasi or Prayagraj.
03:26We are entering the Kavar Yatra.
03:28Outside, there are some idols of Lord Shiva.
03:32People worship Lord Shiva here.
03:34It is said that the Kavar Yatras also worship Lord Shiva.
03:38They have done it in this camp.
03:40So, let's go inside.
03:42Let's see.
03:44One more thing.
03:46If...
03:48If...
03:50If Kavar Yatras come here...
03:56We have recognized them.
03:58The people of Sehwadal have recognized us.
04:00They are also chanting the name of One India.
04:02Anyway, the system here is very...
04:04It is a very simple system.
04:06If...
04:08If there is any kind of problem...
04:10For example, if the Kavar Yatras walk,
04:12they feel pain in their feet.
04:14Or if there is any other problem...
04:16Because we have seen that there are young people too.
04:18There are 16-year-old young people.
04:20And there are also 50-year-old and 60-year-old people.
04:22So, there is a medicine system here.
04:24I think...
04:26There is also a bandage system.
04:28If something happens...
04:30There are also small ointments.
04:32Look, for pain...
04:34This is some kind of a spray.
04:36If there is pain, then it will be applied.
04:38And there is also an injection.
04:40There may be doctors here.
04:42So, the doctors also come here.
04:44What is your good name?
04:46My name is Manish Verma.
04:48So, you have been giving these medicines since yesterday.
04:50Yes. I have been doing this for about 35 years.
04:53It's been 35 years.
04:55So, this is a very good system.
04:57Because when a person travels for such a long time,
04:59then he feels a little pain somewhere.
05:01But when there is devotion...
05:03When there is devotion...
05:05When there is devotion,
05:07then all these problems are tolerated.
05:09That passion...
05:11That enthusiasm...
05:13That feeling of devotion...
05:15And look, the people who have come here...
05:17I will show you how they are here.
05:19They are completely tired. They are exhausted.
05:22But look how relaxed they are.
05:24This is the peace of devotion.
05:26After that, you will see...
05:28So, what kind of peace is this?
05:30I am the only devotee here.
05:32And you will see everyone is sleeping.
05:34So, like this, there are all the other devotees
05:36who are resting a little.
05:38Look, there are young people too.
05:40If you see, we are with them.
05:42But they are sleeping.
05:52These are the makeshift camps like these
05:54set up by the local communities
05:56and state governments
05:58offering food, water and medical aid.
06:00These camps are a testimonial
06:02to the spirit of service and community
06:04that the Kavar Yatra fosters.
06:10So, now see from one side
06:12how everything has come together
06:14here of the Shiv devotees.
06:16And they all have become one.
06:18They say, they don't know anything.
06:20Some are from here, some from there, but all of them are resting here in the camp.
06:27There is also an arrangement here, we will show you that too.
06:30We will ask the people who have organized the camp.
06:32Some daughters are also with us.
06:34Daughter, have you also brought a cover?
06:36Have you also brought a cover?
06:38So some daughters are also with us.
06:40Some sisters are also with us.
06:42Son, come forward.
06:44So some daughters and sisters are also with us.
06:46We will talk to the people who have brought the cover.
06:48Son, where are you from?
06:50I am from Meerut.
06:51You are from Meerut?
06:52Yes.
06:53Where have you brought the cover from?
06:54From Haridwar.
06:56Have you brought it on foot or with a cover?
06:57No, I have brought it on foot.
06:59How old were you?
07:00I am 30 years old.
07:02How long has it been since you have brought it?
07:03I have brought it for the first time.
07:05Did you have any pain in your legs?
07:07No, nothing.
07:08A sister is also with us, we will talk to her.
07:10Sister, have you also brought a cover?
07:12Yes, I have.
07:13Where are you from?
07:13Delhi Noida.
07:14Have you also brought a cover on foot?
07:16No, I have brought it on a bike.
07:18We call it a cover, right?
07:20Yes.
07:21How many of you have come?
07:22Four of us have come.
07:23She is with you.
07:24She is also a member of your family.
07:25Yes, she is my brother.
07:26She is your brother.
07:28How many times have you brought a cover?
07:30I have brought it on my head many times.
07:32She is your sister.
07:36How many times has she brought it?
07:37This is the second time.
07:38Look at the enthusiasm.
07:40You are in the Seva Dal and you are also wearing a cover.
07:43No, I am in the Seva Dal.
07:46We have a mother with us who is a devotee of Lord Shiva.
07:51She is also in the Seva Dal.
07:53What help does she give you?
07:54There are many mothers and sisters here.
07:55Why don't you help them?
07:57Because when women are in the Seva Dal,
07:59they get a different level of comfort.
08:01I give them food and take care of the children.
08:05I don't want them to quarrel with each other.
08:08Okay.
08:09This is very good.
08:10I have seen many like this.
08:12I have seen a young man.
08:13I have seen a 65-year-old man.
08:16I have seen daughters.
08:17I have seen sisters.
08:19And I have seen an old woman doing Seva.
08:21These are all the aspects.
08:23You will see a lot of devotion.
08:25You must have seen everything.
08:27You might think that I have brought a cover and water.
08:30But this is a very difficult task.
08:31It is not that easy.
08:33If the trek is a major challenge for devotees,
08:36it is also a challenge for local communities.
08:39The sheer number of participants can strain local resources
08:43and infrastructure.
08:45Authorities work tirelessly to ensure the safety
08:48and well-being of the pilgrims.
08:50Police and emergency services are on high alert,
08:54managing traffic and providing assistance wherever needed.
09:03The Kaavar Yatra continues to grow in popularity each year.
09:07It is a time when faith transcends the physical hardships
09:11and the collective energy of millions of devotees
09:14creates an atmosphere of unwavering devotion.
09:41We have been here for 6 days.
09:43Are there other camps like this?
09:45Yes.
09:465 days, 4 days.
09:48Is it 5 days, 6 days or a whole month?
09:50No, it is different.
09:51It takes 2-4 days.
09:53So, it is like a month.
09:55Yes, sir.
09:56So, you provide food here.
09:58You have a place to sleep.
10:00How many devotees have come so far?
10:02We have never guessed this.
10:04But it is always full.
10:06Yes, it is always full.
10:07For the Kaavariyas,
10:09the journey culminates in a moment of profound spiritual significance.
10:13As they pour the holy water over the Shiva Lingam,
10:17they offer their prayers, hopes and dreams to the Divine.
10:21This act of devotion is the essence of the Kaavar Yatra,
10:25a journey of faith that unites people across regions
10:29and backgrounds in their love for Lord Shiva.
10:33It is very important to have discipline.
10:38So, if we are really taking the Kaavar,
10:41then take it with your heart.
10:43If you want to take it, you can take it with your heart.
10:45There should be forgiveness in your heart.
10:47You should have truth in your heart.
10:48You should take it with complete faith.
10:50So, what do you think of these people?
10:52You should respect them.
10:55That is their own business.
10:57But what is your advice?
10:58Our advice is that all these devotees,
11:00who are going to Shiva,
11:02should do it with peace of mind.
11:04Then they will enjoy it in the same way.
11:06They will sleep peacefully.
11:08But the joy of devotion will be different.
11:36The Kaavar Yatra is more than a journey.
11:38It is a testament to the enduring power of faith,
11:42the resilience of the human spirit
11:44and the unbreakable bond between devotees and the Divine.
11:49It is a voyage that year after year
11:52reaffirms the timeless traditions
11:55and the vibrant spirituality of India.
12:06For more updates, visit www.osho.com