Sawan 2025: Did Ravana Really Start the Kanwar Yatra?

As the sacred month of Sawan (Shravan) approaches in 2025, millions of devotees will again take up the symbolic yoke of devotion—the Kanwar—and walk barefooted miles across dusty roads, forests, and city streets, chanting "Bol Bam" with each breath.

The month of Sawan is very special for millions of people in India. It is especially important for those who worship Lord Shiva. During this time, the Kanwar Yatra takes place. Thousands of devotees, called Kanwariyas, walk long distances to collect holy water from the Ganges River. They then offer this water to Shiva in temples. Have you ever wondered how this tradition started? Some stories say that Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka, began this spiritual journey. Ravana is often seen as a villain. But despite this, he was also known for his deep devotion and great knowledge.

Ravana: More Than a Villain

In Sanatan Dharma, very few people are completely good or completely bad. Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, is often shown as the villain in the Ramayana. But in Indian mythology, he is a very complex character. Ravana was a wise sage. He taught many people. He was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Ravana is described to be the great-grandson of sage Pulastya. He was a well learned person who mastered the shastras. He was also a talented musician and poet. His strong devotion to Shiva is famous. Many prayers in the Shiva Purana and other holy books praise his penance and dedication.

One particular shloka from the Shiva Purana glorifies such devotion:

"शिवाय नमनं करोमि शरणं मम भवतु।

भक्त्या युक्तः शिरसा देवः सदा स्मरति॥"

(I bow to Shiva; may He be my refuge.

A devotee united with devotion, the Lord always remembers him.)

Ravana’s relationship with Shiva was not just that of a worshipper but one deeply involved in spiritual practice — intense tapasya, meditation, and service.

Ravana: The First Kanwariya?

The Kanwar Yatra is a sacred tradition observed during Sawan, where devotees (Kanwariyas) fetch Ganga Jal from places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri, and Sultanganj, walking barefoot to offer it as abhishek on Shiva linga in temples across the country. The journey is one of endurance, purity, and complete surrender.

Some old stories, especially from local traditions and oral tales, say that Ravana was maybe the first Kanwariya (a devotee who carries water for worship). According to the story, after the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Shiva drank the deadly poison called halahala to save the world. This caused a lot of energy disturbance inside him. To calm Shiva and balance this energy, Ravana went on a journey to the Ganges River. He collected water from the Ganges and used it to perform a special worship called abhishek at the ancient Pura Mahadev Temple, which is now in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.

This act of sacred service to Shiva is not just a myth; it is an emblem of how even those we consider "villains" in our scriptures were deeply rooted in sanatan dharma and bhakti yoga.

The Rise of a Bhakti Phenomenon

While mythological references tell one part of the story, historical records offer another. In the 19th century British authors described seeing the early Kanwar Yatra. They noted the presence of rich merchants and sadhus traveling in small groups. The pilgrimage remained unbothered and calm, displaying a sense of quiet refinement and humility. It was a genuinely simple and humble spiritual act. This continued until the 1960s.

In the decades that followed, particularly post-1980s, the Kanwar Yatra evolved into a massive, organised movement. Today, it attracts crores of Shiva bhakts, not just from North India, but from across the world. With saffron flags, chanting of “Bol Bam,” and the spirit of unity, the Yatra has become a living celebration of Sanatan Dharma.

"श्रावणमास्य कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां निषीथे।

लिङ्गार्चनं शिवस्योक्तं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्॥"

 — Skanda Purana

(“Worshipping Lord Shiva during the Krishna Paksha of Shravan month brings both worldly joy and spiritual liberation.”)

As Sawan 2025 gets closer, the Kanwar Yatra shows the lasting power of devotion. Whether it comes from old stories about Ravana’s strong love for Lord Shiva or from many years of tradition, the Yatra represents the timeless spirit of Sanatan Dharma. Even complex characters like Ravana are remembered for their deep respect for Lord Shiva.