In a heartwarming gesture of unity and interfaith harmony, two Muslim youth, Sajid and Sunny, have taken part in the annual Kanwar Yatra, carrying holy water from the Ganges as a mark of respect for Lord Shiva and as a symbol of communal solidarity.
Hailing from Bah town in Agra district, the two young men began their journey from Firozabad, joining thousands of Hindu devotees in the traditional pilgrimage, where Kanwariyas travel on foot to offer Ganga Jal at Shiva temples during the holy month of Shravan.
“We are carrying the kanwar not just for devotion, but to send a message that India’s real strength lies in its unity,” said Sajid, one of the pilgrims.
“This is our way of showing that love and mutual respect between communities is stronger than division,” added Sunny.
- Sajid and Sunny’s participation has been welcomed warmly by fellow pilgrims, many of whom were moved by their message of peace.
- Locals and social media users have hailed their effort as an inspiring example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb—the centuries-old syncretic culture of northern India.
The Kanwar Yatra, which sees millions of Shiva devotees walking barefoot with kanwars (decorated bamboo slings) on their shoulders, is one of the largest annual religious pilgrimages in India.
In times of increasing polarization, gestures like this remind people of the shared cultural and spiritual values that bind communities together. Sajid and Sunny’s peaceful and respectful participation in a Hindu religious event has sparked hope and appreciation across regions.
Local officials praised the youths for spreading a message of unity, and several pilgrims offered them water, food, and encouragement along their journey.
As the Kanwar Yatra continues, the story of Sajid and Sunny serves as a powerful reminder that India’s spirit thrives on mutual respect, coexistence, and shared traditions.
