Rise in number of women Kanwariyas this year

Varanasi: In a welcome trend, several women Kanwariyas including unmarried girls in saffron attires are thronging the city from far and near during the holy month of Shravan to offer prayers to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
According to organisers of Kanwariya camps at Dashaswamedh and Luxa areas, an increase in number of women Kanwariyas, mostly from rural belts and places like Assam, Siliguri, West Bengal as well as Bhopal, Rajasthan and Punjab, has been witnessed since last two years.
The organisers attribute proper safety and security arrangements at the camps as well as efforts by district administration to ensure peaceful 'darshan-pujan' as reason for the surge in women Kanwariyas.
"Earlier, we would only come across male Kanwariyas, especially young boys, who would travel by foot and reach city during Shravan month to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. This was followed by men visiting the city with their families, a couple or more, but now the women are stepping out with 'Kanwars' on their shoulders, walking miles and offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Last year, of 4 lakh Kanwariyas there were over 50,000 women at our camp," shared Rajendra Kumar Seth, one of the volunteers at Kanwariya camp organised by Tirth Yatri Kanwariya Sewa Shivir in Chittaranjan Park in Dashaswamedh area.
He further said, "Many of the Kanwariyas, who were assured of safety arrangements at the camp were seen bringing in their wives last year who stayed at the camp, bathed in Ganga, offered prayers and left for another destination."
Rajkishore Jaiswal of Shri Baba Kashi Vishwanath Bhakt Sewa Samiti, that organises camp in Karamal Sabi Devi Dharamshala (Sindhi Dharamshala) at Luxa every year, echoed similar views. He said, "Of late, we have been witnessing an increase in number of women Kanwariyas making beeline outside KVT to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. Although maximum crowd is visible on Mondays, yet a large number of women thronged the dharamshala on Wednesday and Thursday. For security reasons, we have also installed three CCTVs in the premises this year," he added.
Meanwhile, many women of 20-50 years could be seen taking holy dip in the Ganga on the second day of Shravan month on Thursday. TOI caught up with 55-year old Mousumi from Darjeeling, who was on her second visit to the city. "After years of insisting to offer Jalabhishek at famous KVT my husband finally agreed to bring me here last year. This time I have also brought my younger daughter as she is a great believer of Lord Shiva. We would visit Baba's durbar tomorrow morning," she said.
Another devotee Basanti Devi from Siliguri, who had come with a group of 20 women said, "Owing to safety reasons our family prohibited us from visiting the city during Shravan month. But, this time we formed our own group and came to offer prayers at KVT."
Several women hailing from rural areas and adjoining districts clad in saffron attires were also seen heading towards KVT after taking holy dip in Ganga.
"The month of Shravan holds significance for Hindus and what could be better than being in abode of the supreme lord Shiva during the holy month. It is our third visit to the city and we would leave for Baijnath Dham tomorrow," said Savitri Devi, a woman Kanwariya from Shahganj in Jaunpur.