Every year, millions of people join the Kanwar Yatra. They walk for long hours, chant the name of Lord Shiva, and carry holy water on a bamboo pole called a Kanwar. The tradition is very old, but here is the interesting part: no one knows exactly when it began or who started it. There are many stories about how the Kanwar Yatra began. One of the most surprising stories is linked to Ravan, who is usually remembered as the villain in the Ramayana. According to one legend, Ravan was also a devotee of Lord Shiva and played a role in the beginning of the Kanwar tradition.
