Shivaratri (Sawan Month)

सावन शिवरात्रि famously known for काँवर यात्रा (Kanvad Yatra) observed during the monsoon month Shraawan/Sawan (Jul-Aug). Kanvar (काँवर) is a single pole usually made of bamboo with weight on both side. Devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanvaria or kanvanrathi comes to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri & few other places to fetch holy water of Ganga river, Ganga Jal. The same water is later offered at native Shiv temples (including Kashi Vishwanath, Baidyanath, Neelkanth and Devghar).

Kanwar yatra is related to the Samundra Manthan in the Hindu Puranas. During this, Lord Shiva consumed poison (during Samundra Manthan) due to which he suffered from the poison, then to ease off the effect Holy water been poured over him.

As a ritual, devotees pour holy water over shivlingas to make the god happy.

He was called 'Neelkanth' as his neck get blue due to effect of poison which he stuck there.