India's Kanwar Yatra: Ancient Origins and Mythological Roots

Every year, millions of people in India walk on foot to collect holy water from big rivers like the Ganga.

They carry the water in special bamboo poles called kanwars.

This journey is called the Kanwar Yatra and happens during the month of Shravan, from July 30 to September 10, 2026.

The story behind it comes from Hindu myths.

One legend says that the first pilgrim was Lord Parashurama, who carried water to a temple near Meerut.

Another story says that a brave man named Shravan Kumar carried his blind parents on a pole to Haridwar.

Some also say the demon king Ravana used a kanwar to help Lord Shiva.

Pilgrims chant “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” and keep a strict diet while walking.

They do this to cool Shiva’s blue throat after he drank a deadly poison.