VARANASI, July 27, 2013: Thousands of Yadav community members offer Jalabhishek at prominent Shiva temples in Varanasi on the first Monday of Shrawan every year. Marching to the beats of 'damru' (power drum), their arrival mark the beginning of prayers offered to Lord Shiva during the holy month. They cover nine temples, spread across 15 kms, in congested lanes of Varanasi. They fetch freshGangajal from river stream for every temple.

The tradition finds no mention in scriptures and religious books. In fact, it has its genesis in the drought that gripped the region in 1930s. Lalji Yadav, whose father Bhola Sardar is credited for starting the tradition, said "In 1932, a drought hit the area. Numerous cattle died. Farms could not be plowed. Around 40 members of the Yadav community led by Bhola Sardar and his brother Chunni Sardar decided to offer Gangajal to Lord Shiva and pray for end of the drought. They collected at Kedar Ghat, took a holy dip and carried Gangajal in a kalash to Gauri Kedareshwar Temple on the ghat. They followed the same routine for eight other temples. The same evening heavy rainfall lashed the region. Since then, it acquired the form of a tradition. Lalji Yadav is also the in-charge of the Jalabhishek tradition under the banner of Chandravanshi Gop Sewa Samiti.

Eldest member of the family, Ram Ji Sardar (73), however, claimed that the tradition did not start all of a sudden in 1930s. It had been in practice for thousands of years. "Members of our community offered Jalabhishek whenever the country faced difficulty, especially natural calamity. Even though the tradition was started by members of the same family, it soon became a social event. Thousands of people from across the eastern Uttar Pradesh and other states throng the city to be a part of this ritual," he said. The police prohibit entry of common devotees and kanwariyas to Kashi Vishwanath Temple when Yadav Bandhu enter the premises to offer Jalabhishek.

"Starting the procession from Kedar Ghat we follow the itinerary as chalked out by our elders. Starting from Gauri Kedareshwar temple, we visit Tilbhandeshwar temple, Sheetla temple, Alhadeshwar temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Mahamrityunjay temple, Trilochan Mahadev and Omkareshwar Mahadev in proper order. We finally reach Laat Bhairo temple where the offering concludes," said Lalji. The tradition also showcases communal harmony in the city. According to Lalji, the procession passes through two highly sensitive areas. However, no conflict has ever occurred during the procession. "In fact, Muslim families welcome and greet our elders when the procession reaches Madanpura and Koyla Bazaar areas. People from other castes are also allowed to join the function," he said.

"Many bureaucrats and politicians, including former chief minister of UP late Kamlapati Tripathi, and others have participated in the event in the past. Many more are keen to participate but we tell them to come like common people as we do not want to politicise and publicise this pure socio-religious function," he added.

Interestingly, there is no age bar for participating in the event. "We prefer that children below 12 years do not join the procession, as they can be hurt in the crowd. Otherwise around 70% of those who participate in the procession are below 40 years of age. Elderly people who have been associated with the tradition for several decades too do not miss the occasion.

Vishnu Yadav, who belongs to the same family said, "I lead the procession playing Damru. I am doing this since I was five. The enthusiasm of the tradition is such that we forget everything and start preparing for the event a week before it is held." Sumit Yadav, a native of Varanasi who works in Delhi said, "I come from Delhi every year. I have participated in this event six times. It gives a lot of energy to mind and soul." This year the procession will be carried out on July 29.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 27, 2013.