Kanwar Yatra: History & Significance

Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage for Lord Shiva devotees

It is a ritual of worshiping Lord Shiva by carrying water from the Ganges river and offering it to a Shiva temple

The Kanwariyas, or the devotees, chant Shiv Mantra and bhajans throughout their journey

The history of Kanwar Yatra is associated with the churning of ocean of Amrit or Samudra Manthan in the month of Shravan as per the Hindu Puranas

Religious scriptures say that the churning of the ocean led to the emergence of poison or vish before the Amrit came out

It is believed that Lord Shiva drank this poison to save the world from destruction

The Kanwar Yatra is also believed to be a form of spiritual break, relaxation, and introspection for the Kanwariyas