Two brothers from Chirchita village in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, are walking nearly 200 km from Haridwar back home — carrying their elderly parents in a 'kanwar' on their shoulders. The journey has turned heads, with onlookers calling the brothers the 'Shravan Kumar of Kalyug'.
According to The Tribune, Sanjeev Kumar and Anil Kumar had travelled to Haridwar for the pilgrimage. They collected holy water from the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, then seated their father Vedram and mother Rajendra in the two baskets of the kanwar. The brothers began their journey back to Baghpat on foot, taking turns carrying the load on their shoulders.
Why the 200-km Kanwar Journey Is Drawing Attention
The nearly 200-km walk is not a short trip. The brothers are covering the distance by taking turns carrying the kanwar, with pilgrims stopping along the way to watch them pass. The gesture has struck a chord with people who see it as a rare act of devotion to parents.
As reported by PTI on X, officials confirmed the brothers are undertaking the journey on foot. The sight of two men carrying their parents in a kanwar — a structure traditionally used to carry holy water — has turned the pilgrimage into a public display of filial duty.
"The people and onlookers witnessed this unique gesture of service and respect towards their parents, calling them the 'Shravan Kumar of Kalyug'." — The Tribune
What the 'Shravan Kumar of Kalyug' Comparison Means
The comparison to Shravan Kumar is significant in Indian tradition. Shravan Kumar is a legendary figure known for carrying his blind parents on his shoulders for pilgrimages. By calling these brothers the 'Shravan Kumar of Kalyug', people are placing them in that same tradition of devotion.
According to The Chenab Times, the brothers' journey is being seen as an act of service and respect. The kanwar, usually used to carry Ganga water during the holy month of Shravan, is here carrying something more personal — their parents.
The journey is still in progress, with the brothers making their way back to Baghpat. Pilgrims and onlookers continue to stop and watch as the two men take turns bearing the weight of the kanwar on their shoulders.
Our Take: A Simple Act That Speaks Volumes
To put it plainly, this story is not really about the kanwar or the 200-km distance. It is about what the brothers chose to carry in it. In an age where caring for elderly parents is often outsourced or overlooked, Sanjeev and Anil Kumar have made a public statement — their parents are their priority, and they are willing to walk 200 km to prove it.
The 'Shravan Kumar of Kalyug' label may sound like a compliment, but it is also a quiet challenge to the rest of us. If two brothers can carry their parents across nearly 200 km on foot, what small acts of care can we offer our own parents today? That is the real takeaway from this journey.