15 UP Muslims begin their 'Kanwar Yatra' journey
What's the story
A group of 70 kanwariyas, which include 15 Muslims, from Kushahari village in UP's Deoria district began their journey for Baba Dham in Jharkhand's Deoghar district. Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees, also known as kanwariyas. Village head Nizam Ansari and some others of his faith wore saffron clothes and joined the yatra on their own expense.
Information
Kanwariyas to collect Ganga water from Sultanganj in Bihar
The devotees from Kushahari village will reach Sultanganj in Bihar, from where they would collect water of the Ganga river and walk around 104km to Baba Dham in Jharkhand, to offer the water to the deity at Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple.
Ganga-Jamuni culture
Social worker calls the move an example of 'Ganga-Jamuni' culture
Sanjiv Shukla, a leading social worker of Kushahari, said, "This is the real example of Ganga-Jamuni culture of India. We should all take lesson from it and give preference to love over hatred." Ansari said, "I want all the people of my village to participate in functions related to all religions. This will provide us more opportunities to come closer and serve the society.