More Than Ganga Jal: Two Children On Kanwar Yatra Carry Hope To End Fathers' Addiction, Free Mothers

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 12:57 IST

Both Rohit, 13, and Nitesh, 12 - are walking this sacred route to free their fathers from alcohol addiction and to save their mothers from years of domestic violence.

Rohit and Nitesh Prajapati wish that Lord Shiva will end their sufferings. (Image: News18)

Not the lure of wealth, success, or even the promise of a better career – it was a silent plea, one born not of ambition but of anguish, that pushed two boys from a remote village in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district to embark upon the grueling 130-kilometre-long Kanwar Yatra. Both Rohit, 13, and Nitesh, 12 – barefoot, carrying Kanwars on their tiny shoulders – are walking this sacred route not for personal blessings, but for one heartfelt wish: to free their fathers from alcohol addiction and to save their mothers from years of domestic violence that has shattered their childhoods.

When Devotion Comes from Desperation

Amid the massive saffron wave of Kanwariyas marching across Uttar Pradesh this year – part of an expected 6-crore strong pilgrimage – these two boys stand out not for their chants, but for their silence. Their eyes reflect not excitement, but endurance. Their feet, cracked from miles of walking, are still steady—fueled not by ritual, but by resolve.

Rohit Prajapati, 13, is no stranger to this path. This is his second Kanwar Yatra. He is walking to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, carrying Ganga jal he collected with devotion. “My father used to drink and smoke ganja," Rohit says. “He beat my mother and then left us. We haven’t seen him at home for five or six years. I’m walking so that Bholenath changes his heart – so he comes back to us, a better man. I also pray that we become strong enough to build our own house some day." Rohit’s words carry the weight of someone much older – a child forced by circumstance to shoulder burdens beyond his age.

Walking beside him is 12-year-old Nitesh Prajapati, undertaking the Kanwar Yatra for the first time. Like Rohit, his home life has been consumed by fear and uncertainty. “My father also drinks and beats my mother," Nitesh says. “When we try to stop him, he hits us too. Now he’s gone to Mumbai. I’m walking so that he stops drinking. I want him to become a good person." Despite their tender age and painful pasts, the boys speak with calm clarity. They do not complain. They walk.

Faith in the Face of Fear

The Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 11 this year, is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by millions of Lord Shiva’s devotees during the month of Shravan. Devotees – known as Kanwariyas – carry sacred water from the Ganges and offer it at Shiva temples. This year, the yatra is witnessing unprecedented participation, including a surge in women devotees. Yet, amid the music-blaring DJ vans, loud chants, and celebratory fervour, the quiet suffering of Rohit and Nitesh tells another story – of how faith is sometimes the last refuge for children battling the demons inside their own homes.

The boys are accompanied by a local elder, Chintamani, who ensures their safety during halts. They eat simple food, rest under tarpaulins or in temple courtyards, and wake before dawn to continue their journey. “They don’t talk much," Chintamani says. “They just walk. They’re determined. Their hearts are in this."

The Hidden Scars of Addiction

In rural India, addiction to alcohol and drugs is not uncommon, but the impact it leaves – especially on women and children – often goes unnoticed and unaddressed. With limited access to rehabilitation centres, domestic abuse reporting mechanisms, or legal support, families are often left to suffer in silence.

“These children are walking not just a spiritual path, but an emotional one," says Meena Jaiswal, a social worker based in eastern Uttar Pradesh. “What they’re doing is extraordinary – but it also reflects how deep the crisis is. When kids turn to God because there’s no one else to hear them, we, as a society, must ask ourselves where we’ve failed." Jaiswal stresses that religious faith is not a substitute for state intervention. “It’s beautiful that they believe in Mahadev. But what they really need is support, safety, and healing."

A Cry Society Must Hear

As Uttar Pradesh ramps up Kanwar Yatra logistics – including women-centric safety measures, health camps, and traffic controls – the stories like Rohit and Nitesh’s often go unheard. There are no special cells for children of alcoholics, no counselling stalls for those seeking emotional refuge. Yet, here they are – walking, praying, hoping. Their voices may be small, but their journey echoes loudly: not all pilgrims come seeking more. Some come hoping for less – less pain, less fear, less silence at home. However, unlike other Shiv devotees, for Rohit and Nitesh, what is certain is their belief – not just in Lord Shiva, but in the possibility of change. “If Baba helps my father stop drinking, I’ll walk every year," says Nitesh. “Even if my feet hurt," he adds.

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