Should those on pilgrimage to Shiva observe traffic discipline?

With at least one god on their side, kanwariyas in their emblematic saffron outfit and pole strung across their shoulders, are all out there these days coming and going with Ganga jal. Starting their journeys from various spots of the country either on foot or motorcycle or truck, or a combination of all of these transportation devices, this brand of Shiv bhakt out on his long trek during the month of Shravan (July-August) is one thing that most other pilgrims need not be in this age of religious tourism: physically fit. Perhaps this is one seasonal group that can be tapped to one day represent India in international long-distance athletics.

But even the Lord of Chaos lying about in his Greatest Kailash cave-condo would be peeved to find his devotees spilling all over the roads, skipping footpaths (if these exist in the first place) and holding up traffic. In Delhi, a bunch of kanwariyaseven joined in a melee comprising protesting Union Public Service Commission aspirants and joined in the general ruckus. It’s unclear where these carriers of holy water stacked away their kanwars (poles); somewhere safe while they reportedly torched two police vehicles and a bike. But perhaps it’s time that an All India Kanwariya Association is registered. It could do well to inject some order into this adventurous lot. And not give kanwariyas bad street cred.