The month of Sawan is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shravan month has special significance in Hinduism. As soon as the month of Sawan starts, Shiva devotees go out on the Kavad Yatra. Kavad Yatra is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage, in which devotees carry Ganga water to anoint Lord Shiva. It is believed that Bholenath fulfills all the wishes of these kanvadis. Every year, a crowd of kanwadis can be seen in Sawan. Let us know how this holy journey started and why Kavad is placed on the shoulder?
Who first did the Kandar Yatra?
According to mythological beliefs, some scholars believe that Lord Parashurama first went on a Kavad Yatra. He took Ganga water from Garhmukteshwar and reached the Pura Mahadev Temple in Baghpat to anoint Shiva.
Lord Ram started this journey
It is also believed that the Kavad Yatra was started by Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Rama filled Ganga water from Sultanganj in Bihar and anointed Shivling at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar.
Shravan Kumar first traveled to Kanwar.
Some scholars believe that the Kanwar Yatra was started by Shravan Kumar in Treta Yuga. He made a pilgrimage to his blind parents in Kanwar and also took a bath in the Ganges in Haridwar. He also brought Ganga water with him.
Ravana started the Kanwar Yatra.
According to mythological belief, Lord Shiva poisoned him after coming out of the sea churning, causing his throat to become blue. Then Ravana filled water in Kanwar and reached ‘Pura Mahadev’ and performed Jalabhishek of Shiva. Since then the tradition of Kanwar Yatra started.
It was started by the gods.
According to the legend, when Lord Shiva poisoned after coming out of the sea churning, the gods poured the water of holy rivers to calm Shiva’s fever. Kanwar Yatra started from that time.
Why is Kanwar placed on the shoulder?
According to mythology, card on the shoulder is not just a tradition, but a symbol of faith and service. Shravan Kumar raised his parents by putting his parents in Kavad, which is a symbol of service and Shri Ram had raised Kavad from Ganga water for the salvation of his father Dasharatha. It is believed that Kavand on the shoulder is a symbol of renunciation of ego. According to religious beliefs, keeping the Ganges water by placing a kawad on the shoulder, all sins are washed away and salvation is attained.
