As soon as the arrival of Shravan month, millions of Kavadis grow from every corner of India to Haridwar, Garhmukteshwar, Sultanganj, Deoghar, Nashik and all the holy places. Take Ganga water on the shoulders, shouting ‘Bol Bomb’, these devotees go out to anoint the Shivling.
Legendary roots of Kavad Yatra: The tradition of Kavad Yatra is not new. Its mythological sources take us to the Treta Yuga-
Shravan Kumar is said to be the first Kavadia, who traveled by making a palanquin on his shoulders to make his blind parents pilgrimage. Unfortunately, after the death of King Dasaratha, he returned home after filling Ganga water in empty Kavad.
Parashuram ji also filled Ganga water from Garhmukteshwar and offered water on Shivling in the entire Mahadev. The story of Lord Shri Ram is also associated with the Kavad Yatra, where he reached Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham) from Sultanganj and offered water on Shivling. Many such incidents show that Kavad Yatra has been not only a journey, but has been an emotional, spiritual and mental penance.
Relevance of Kavad Yatra in Kali Yuga:
Today we are living in the era where years of walking journey can be completed with the help of vehicles and technology in a few days. But the question is whether today’s Kavad Yatra has remained a symbol of reverence and penance? Unfortunately, today the nature of Kavad Yatra seems to be changing somewhere and changing into hoods. The loud sound of the DJ, disrupting traffic like a procession on the road, and incidents of assault or indiscipline are heard in many places.
How much is true reverence?
I believe, there are only a few percent of today’s Kavad travelers, who travel on foot in a true sense and offer water to the Shivling. Most people are making travel. It is also true that at many places, huge crowds, lack of arrangements and economy pushing faith backwards to offer water to Shivling. Many times in the mandaris and temple arrangements, the glimpse of money is more visible instead of reverence.
Kavad Yatra: Political Forum or Spiritual Prayer?
In today’s era, political interests in religious events have also been deeply involved. In many places, Kavad Yatra becomes a means of vote bank or strength. But my clear view is that ‘the real meaning of the Kavad Yatra is to offer the inner water in Shiva in Shiva.’ It is not only a journey from the body, but also a journey of mind. This is austerity, in which you offer water to the Shivling except your desires, anger, greed and ego.
My message:
I salute all the Kavad travelers who still travel with reverence. But I would also like to say that- Kavad Yatra is not a procession, but personal practice. Shraddha should be kept away from showing and politics. Shiva is hungry for emotion, not a crowd or noise. If we make the Kavad Yatra again a festival of emotion, practice and spiritual purification, then this tradition will remain as relevant and holy in Kali Yuga as it was in Treta or Dwapar Yuga.
