Allahabad: Women kanwariyas break taboo, walk extra mile to offer jalabhishek

PRAYAGRAJ: Donned in saffron attire and chanting Shiv Tandav Stotra, Shiv Stuti, and mantras of Lord Shiva, groups of women kanwariyas are all set to break taboo and walk extra mile to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath and Baba Baidyanath Dham during at the ongoing Shravan month.
Seema, a women kanwariya from Chitrakoot, said, “After a gap of two years, I was blessed to be a kanwariya this year and joined my village group to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath." She, however, claimed the family members in villages earlier restricted women for rituals of kanwar yatra, but with the changing times, more and more women and children are now participating in kanwar yatra.
Malti, another woman devotee walking with her husband, pointed out, “Elderly people of my family despite being illiterate, have not only supported but also encouraged me to perform jalabhishek to Lord Shiva to get all my wishes fulfilled. “It is a matter of faith and all the problems and pains can be overcome by your determination,” said Kusum, adding, “Once you leave the house, your journey would surely be completed by the grace of Lord Shiva.” Hailing from rural background, the women kanwariyas are enthusiastic and energetic to walk barefoot to the baba’s dham (prominent temples of Lord Shiva) with the claim that their journey brings inner peace and satisfaction to their mind and takes away all sins and curses.