Jagran correspondent, Banka. Despite the arrival of Phagun month, the effect of cold continues. People's bodies are trembling in the open due to the strong gusts of westerly wind. Despite this, thousands of Shiva devotees are moving forward on the Kanwariya Kanwar Path, keeping their bodies warm by chanting “Bolbam”. The kanwars of these Kanwaris are much thicker and stronger than those of Sawan. A bundle of woolen clothes and blankets is also tied on the side of Kanwar. A good participation of women is also being seen in Kanwariyas.
Although at present there is lack of administrative facilities and food arrangements on Kanwar Path, still the steps of Shiva devotees who consider Baba Bholenath as their guest are not stopping. Kanwarias prepare food by collecting dry wood from the forests on the way. In the evening, they rest by spreading blankets under the trees in some clean place and after morning worship, they start the journey again.
A day ago, the group of Kanwariyas was spread in the open air from Dhauri to Jilabia mountain in Belhar. On Wednesday, this convoy was seen moving ahead on Kanwar Path via Abarkha, Inaravaran till Godiyari. Most of the Kanwariyas are calling themselves Mithila residents. These include devotees from many districts including Darbhanga, Supaul, Samastipur, Gopalganj. Some vehicles are also loaded with food items and blankets to protect from cold.
Near Jilabia mountain, Sudhir Mandal and Ganesh Tiwari along with other Kanwaris told that the people of Mithila consider themselves the brother-in-law of Baba Bholenath. For this reason, before Holi and Mahashivratri, they travel to Babadham on foot to apply colors to Baba. Only after offering colors to Baba, auspicious functions like marriages take place in their families and Holi is also played only then. Kanwariyas have started their Kanwar Yatra by taking a bath in the holy Ganga at Ajgaivinath Dham on the day of Magh Purnima. He is going to attend Baba's court within two days.
Chandrabhushan Singh, resident of Muktiniketan, Katoria, says that apart from Sawan, the tradition of Kanwar Yatra on the occasion of spring arrival and Mahashivratri is old. Even on Vasant Panchami, people of Mithilanchal go on foot to Kanwar Yatra to do Baba's Tilak. Now even before Mahashivratri and Holi, a large number of Kanwariyas are moving from Mithila region towards Babadham. Earlier, being called “Baba ka Saala” used to be laughed at by the local people, but now it has reduced a bit. However, there has been no reduction in the number of Kanwariyas walking in the cold.
Some devotees believe that offering water in the month of Phalgun cures diseases and sufferings. Abir is offered to Baba every day from Vasant Panchami to Phalgun Purnima. On the day of Vasant Panchami, the people of Mithila start the celebration of Holi with Tilakotsav, Bhairav Puja, Phag Geet and Abeer-Gulal.
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