Prayagraj: Bound by faith rather than geography, thousands of kanwariyas converged at Prayagraj’s Sangam and Dashashwamedh Ghat on Monday to collect the sacred Ganga water before beginning their barefoot pilgrimage to temples dedicated to Lord Shiv. Among them were four friends from different districts who reunited for the second consecutive year to undertake the kanwar yatra together, reaffirming a bond forged through devotion during the holy month of Shrawan.Madhur, Manu, Ritesh and Ritik, hailing from different districts, collected the holy water from Dashashwamedh Ghat before setting out for Kashi Vishwanath to perform jalabhishek. Though separated by geographical boundaries and different professions, the four friends said their shared devotion to Lord Shiv brings them together every Shrawan.Before beginning their journey amid chants of Shiva mantras and the Shiv Tandav Stotram, they gathered with a common resolve to walk barefoot and offer the sacred Ganga water at Kashi Vishwanath.Unmindful of comfort or accessories, the four friends said their only aim was to perform jalabhishek. Manu said, “The month of Shrawan gives us the opportunity to unite on the banks of the Ganga and undertake this holy pilgrimage.” He added, “Despite being from different trades and professions, we have one aim—to undertake the Kanwar Yatra every year.”Ritesh said, “Last year, we undertook our first pilgrimage and decided to continue it every year during the month of Shrawan.”“It is not only during Magh Mela, Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh that devotees gather at the Sangam and other Ganga ghats from across the state and the country. Devotees of Lord Shiv come here every year from far-flung districts to collect Ganga water,” said noted religious scholar Dr. Amitabh Gour. He added that the number of kanwariyas, particularly youngsters, has been increasing every year.Kavita, along with her group of seven kanwariyas, also arrived at Dashashwamedh Ghat on Monday to collect Ganga water before beginning their journey to Padila Mahadev. She said it was the first time that she and her friends had donned the saffron attire of kanwariyas and taken part in the rituals associated with the month of Shrawan.Madhusudan and his family members, who hail from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, also reached the ghat to collect the holy water before proceeding to Kashi Vishwanath.“Scores of devotees from our village come to the Sangam every year to participate in the kanwar yatra as the Sangam holds immense significance in our religious scriptures. The locals provide us with drinking water and food,” said Vishnu from Chitrakoot.Manoj and his younger brother had travelled all the way from Satna in Madhya Pradesh to offer their prayers to Lord Shiv.Dashashwamedh Ghat in Daraganj and the Sangam wore a festive yet crowded look on Monday as scores of kanwariyas arrived to collect the sacred Ganga water before beginning their journey to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Padila Mahadev Temple and Baijnath Dham.Police personnel maintained a strict vigil at the ghats and across the Sangam area to ensure the smooth movement of devotees.
