Kanwariyas begin their journey towards Shiva's abode

ALLAHABAD: With the onset of the holy month of Shrawan, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, kanwariyas are back on the roads. Sporting tilak on their forehead and applying tattoos of varied designs and shades on their tonsured heads, kanwariyas have started carrying the Gangajal to the abode of Lord Shiva in Varanasi for an arduous journey of 140 km on feet.
Carrying earthen pitchers filled with Gangajal slung on a bamboo stick, which they carry on their shoulders, kanwariyas have started moving in groups chanting `Bam Bam Bole'.
"Dressed up in saffron clothes, kanwariyas start their yatra during the holy month of Shrawan," said a religious teacher, Ram Naresh Tripathi. They offer oblations to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. "Their journey begins once they collect the Gangajal from Sangam and head towards the abode of Shiva in Varanasi. The devout who conform to age old custom and tradition stick to the schedule of covering the distance on foot irrespective of the hazards and stress. It is with this zeal that these kanwariyas cover the distance in four or five days and then return through the easiest available means of transport," he added.
On the other hand, due to time constraint, some kanwariyas take buses or other means of public transport to reach their destination, said kanwariya Ashok.