All through the month of Shravan (that beginan on 10 July this year), men, young and old, clad in orange tees and shorts move about the country atop trucks or large minivans with loud blaring music announcing their piety.
These are kanwariyas – devotees of Shiva – almost seven lakh of whom are expected to be travel to Haridwar or Gaumukh this year to collect water from the Ganga. Traditionally, the pilgrimage to either of the points is made on foot, but nowadays group of men hire trucks or tempos to travel together.
The men, most of whom are from marginalised backgrounds, make pit stops at various junctures to rest, eat, and socialise. Religious do-gooders set up camps and provide basic amenities for the nomadic kanwariyas, who are often seen enjoying each other’s company over devotional singing and dancing.
The music is often devotional lyrics juxtaposed with popular Bollywood tunes. While kanwariya’s have been viewed as largely peaceful, a certain political hue has seeped into their camps over the last few years.
This year, the dominant narrative of nationalism can been seen in these yatras, with music proclaiming a blind devotion to the country, openly attacking Pakistan, and hailing Modi as the slayer of Pakistan.
The titles are equally intriguing. “Kashmir tohre baap ka na se; Bhole Pakistan nakse se mita denge; Tiranga lahri Pakistan mein; (Kashmir is not your father’s property; Lord Shiva will erase Pakistan from the world map; The Indian flag will be hoisted in Pakistan)” are just some of the songs a kawariya told us are popular.
Hear some of the songs we found on YouTube.
One wonders how Lord Shiva feels about his new age devotees dragging him in the Indo-Pak conflict!
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