On the surface the annual ritual of Kaanwad appears to be just that, a ritual. The more cynical project Kaanwad Yatra as gangs of people with nothing to do, scurrying about carrying water from somewhere to elsewhere. Why carry water from somewhere to elsewhere when there is enough water even at elsewhere, they ask. Not to forget the “nuisance” tag attached to these “disruptive hordes”, the narrative created about whom is that they swagger about on highways bashing all and sundry who dare cross their path. Or do not serve hot, “pure” meals.
Back from my own first Kaanwad Yatra at age 63, I realise how grossly wrong such criticisms are. And hence I want to share my personal journey rediscovery with our English speaking India- Bharat (mein) Confused Desis or IBCDs. Here I set out to bridge the gap between the two, in English only to explain to India. Bharat is so confident and happy with Herself, naturally. One can only learn from Bharat, not even deign to teach.
I undertook the Kaanwad Yatra with holy waters from Janapao Kund to Chakki Waale Mahadev Mandir in Mhow. Covered over 20 km on 20 and 21 July, along the Agra Mumbai Highway, with a night halt at a marriage garden about three kilometres out of Mhow. The Yatra was flawlessly organised by Rama Dal, a highly respected social-cultural group from Mhow. More on this some other day, this series will focus on the spiritual, socio cultural and economic aspects of the institution of Kaanwad, offset against my hands on personal impressions.
Please be on the lookout for more in this series, signing off for today, not wanting to overstay my attention span welcome.
Har Har Mahadev.
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