400 kavarias arrive in city from Haridwar

These devotees go to Haridwar around this time every year and take water from Ganga river; many go to Gokul as well. They get a kavar made from there and return on foot. The kavarias arriving at Mansa Devi temple were welcomed by a team comprising Councillor Raj Kumar Goel, Radhey Sham Sharma and Sajjan Kumar (from Grain Market) and sewadar Ram Nivas, besides others.

Besides the mostly young kavarias, there were a few old men and children also in the group. Twelve-year-old Raman, probably the youngest of them, said he was inspired by his uncle Nanak to undertake the journey. "Last year I had gone till Haridwar, but this year I went up to Gokul," said Raman, who resides in Bapu Dham Colony.

Also among the kavarias, was a 70-year-old handicapped man, who was carrying the kavar for the third time.

The devotees revealed that there are four types of kavars. Khadi kavar must remain on your shoulders day and night, except if somebody agrees to tow it for you for a few hours. Jhoola kavar, as the name suggests, will always have to be kept swinging. There’s a Baithi kavar which you can place anywhere you want to take rest. Probably the most interesting of all is the Dak kavar. The kavar, which resembles the relay race, has two groups _ three persons carry the kavar and run, and are followed by another three in a vehicle. After some distance, the two group exchange their positions. This type of kavar has to reach its destination within 24 hours, without stopping.

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