They're Back

Every year, around this time, people in these parts celebrate a holiday called "Cowardth" (Or something like that). Worshipers of Shiva (one of the many gods here) go get holy water from the Ganga river. And then they have to walk it back to their hometown Shiva temple .Once they arrive, they give the water as an offering. The water is carried in these elaborate canisters that you can see in the picture. The journey takes several days and the roads are congested with these rowdy sojourners. Along various places in the road, they have these "pit stops" for people so they can rest, eat, watch some t.v. and then continue on their journey.

Anyway, its not particularly my favorite holiday. They are rude and noisy. Schools are closed, buses are shut down and roads are bypassed during this time. I have gotten several warning from local friends to be cautious these days because apparently the partying can get a little out of hand. Its a bit similar to Marti Gras. In a few days, the party will be over and the normal chaos will be restored.