IIT Kanpur students and faculty take out Kanwar Yatra and perform Jalabhishek

IIT Kanpur students and faculty participated in a special Kanwar Yatra, carrying sacred Ganga water from Sarsaiya Ghat to Anandeshwar Mahadev Temple for Jalabhishek. Young minds embraced India's traditions while promoting technology, environmental conservation and social responsibility.

In Short

• Participants carried holy Ganga water from Sarsaiya Ghat to Parmat temple
• Professor Nachiketa Tiwari urged students to expand the initiative in future
• He proposed linking the event with water conservation and awareness efforts

Students and faculty members of IIT Kanpur participated in a special Kanwar Yatra on Sunday as part of the ongoing Shravan festivities. Carrying holy Ganga water from Sarsaiya Ghat, the participants walked to the Anandeshwar Mahadev Temple in Parmat, where they performed the traditional Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva.

The initiative brought together students, professors and members of the institute community in a display of faith, discipline and cultural participation. Professor Nachiketa Tiwari appreciated the students for taking the initiative and encouraged them to develop the event further in the coming years.

He suggested that the initiative could eventually evolve beyond a traditional Kanwar Yatra and become a broader campaign focused on water conservation and creating awareness about the importance of water resources.

GEN-Z AND GEN-ALPHA EMBRACE TRADITION ALONGSIDE TECHNOLOGY

Professor Akhilesh Virmani, Professor Nachiketa Tiwari, Aditi Saxena, Ayushi Ojha and several other IIT Kanpur students were among those who participated in the programme.

Speaking about the significance of the event, student Shivam Trivedi said the participation of IITians in the Kanwar Yatra reflects a different side of today's younger generation. He said Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha should not be viewed only through the lens of social media and technology.

According to him, young people are equally capable of staying connected with India's cultural traditions, religious heritage, the Ganga and their social responsibilities while embracing modern technology and innovation.

FAITH, DISCIPLINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Trivedi further described the Kanwar Yatra as an expression of faith as well as discipline, service and environmental awareness. He said such initiatives can help strengthen social bonds while highlighting the constructive energy and sense of responsibility among young people.

During the programme, Awadh Bihari Mishra spoke to the students about the cultural, spiritual and environmental importance of the Ganga. He also shared several interesting facts about the river and its significance.

The students maintained discipline throughout the journey as they walked from Sarsaiya Ghat to the Anandeshwar Mahadev Temple with Kanwars carrying Ganga water. Devotional chants of “Bol Bam” echoed along the route as the participants made their way to the temple.

Following the Jalabhishek, Mahant Bal Yogi Arun Puri Chaitanya Ji Maharaj blessed the students and praised their participation in the initiative. The programme concluded with devotional chants, prayers and bhajan-kirtan, bringing the day-long spiritual gathering to a close.

- Ends