About

• Kanwar Yatra is a massive annual pilgrimage in India dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva.
• Kanwar refers to a bamboo stick with pots tied to its two ends, with the devotees of Lord Shiva known as the ‘Kanwariyas’ who carry the Kanwar on their shoulders.

• It involves the fetching of the holy water, traditionally called ‘Ganga Jal’ from the river Ganga or its tributaries at various Hindu pilgrimage sites, such as Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, and Sultanganj in Bihar.
• It is carried across hundreds of miles to their respective hometowns.

• 

• And, on the occasion of Maha Shivratri or New Moon Day in the fifth month of the Hindu calendar (Shravan month), the devotees anoint the Shiva linga (representation of the Hindu deity, Shiva) with holy water at the local Shiva temple.
• The festivals run during the monsoon month Shraawan (July -August).

Why in News?

The States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana have deferred this year’s Kanwar yatra due to the COVID-19 pandemic.