Jabalpur, Aug 10 — A massive Kanwar Yatra turned Jabalpur’s Ranjhi area into a sea of devotees on Monday, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav joining the procession, showering flowers on Kanwariyas and walking alongside sadhus and pilgrims carrying Narmada water for offering to Lord Shiva.
The ‘Sanskar Kanwar Yatra’, held on the auspicious Monday of the holy month of Shravan, witnessed large-scale participation of devotees.
The procession reverberated with chants of “Bol Kanwariya, Bol Bam” as devotees danced to the beats of drums and other traditional instruments.
Yadav participated in the procession along with spiritual leader Dada Guru and several public representatives. He lifted a Kanwar, played the damru and walked with the devotees during the religious procession.
Describing the scale of the gathering, Yadav said he had witnessed several Kanwar yatras but was seeing such a large procession for the first time.
“Kanwar yatras have been witnessed before, but I am seeing such a large Kanwar Yatra for the first time. The Kanwariyas, under the leadership of Dada Guru, have joined the journey with complete devotion,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the devotees were carrying Narmada water as part of their spiritual resolve to offer it to Lord Shiva. He said the Madhya Pradesh government was working to provide better facilities to pilgrims, promote religious tourism and improve infrastructure at religious places.
Yadav said Sanatan culture teaches self-discipline, progress and the strength to face challenges in life. He also highlighted the spiritual message conveyed by the sants participating in the yatra, saying that the purpose of life goes beyond material needs.
“Life is not merely about eating and drinking. By following a sacred path, one can move towards the Supreme. Dada Guru has shown through his life that existence can also be sustained on the basis of water,” Yadav said.
The Chief Minister said the Narmada occupies a central place in the spiritual traditions of Madhya Pradesh and is revered as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The procession, marked by devotional chants, music and the participation of sadhus and devotees, reflected the religious fervour associated with Shravan Monday in Jabalpur, popularly known as the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh.