Sixteen members of the Baiga tribal community who recently returned to what their group refers to as their original faith have joined a 151-kilometre-long ‘Bol Bam’ Kanwar Yatra by Chhattisgarh BJP MLA Bhawna Bohra.
The pilgrimage to Bhoramdeo Temple has brought together hundreds of devotees, tribal people, students, and women in the area.
Bhawna Bohra said around 700 Kanwariyas are participating in the yatra and described the journey as challenging but driven by strong determination.
“700 Kanwariyas are with me. The path is difficult, but our resolve is strong,” Bohra said during the pilgrimage.
She also highlighted the participation of the 16 Baiga community members who had recently returned to their original faith and were now taking part in the Kanwar Yatra.
The tribal members’ participation has added a new dimension to the pilgrimage, which is being done as a religious journey over a distance of 151 kilometres.
#WATCH | Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh | 16 Baiga tribals who recently returned to their original faith are participating in Chhattisgarh BJP MLA Bhawna Bohra-led 151-kilometre-long 'Bol Bam' Kanwar Yatra to Bhoramdeo Temple.
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2026
She says, "700 Kanwariyas are with me. The route is… pic.twitter.com/SgXZLlUENs
Bohra also mentioned women and young students’ participation. Girls in schools and colleges have joined the yatra, she said, and women who did not frequently leave their homes have been joining the yatra in the past too.
“Girl students from schools and colleges and many women who never used to step out of their homes much are also a part of this yatra today,” she said.
The organisers are more interested in participation from different social classes, we think.
Kanwar yatras are usually associated with devotees carrying holy water and pilgrimage to Shiva temples in the auspicious month of Shravan. The Kanwariyas usually travel long distances on foot and chant devotional slogans such as "Bol Bam."
The 151-kilometre route in this case is a physical challenge for participants. Bohra said that the difficult terrain and distance had not weakened the resolve of the pilgrims taking part.
The journey is also significant because of its connection with the Bhoramdeo Temple, one of Chhattisgarh's prominent Shiva temples. The temple complex is historically and culturally important and is often referred to as the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh” because of its unique architectural features and sculptures.
Baiga community members have also brought to light the link between tribal tradition, religious identity, and cultural practices.
The Baiga are one of India’s most vulnerable tribal communities and have long maintained particular cultural and religious practices. Hence, their participation in a large-scale organized pilgrimage represents an important community development for the organisers.
Bohra's statement referred to the 16 participants as members who had “returned to their original faith.” The phrase reflects the participants' and the organisers' descriptions of their religious journey, and it is not known exactly what their individual circumstances were.
The yatra has also been presented as a platform bringing together participants from various age groups and backgrounds.
With hundreds of Kanwariyas taking part in the event, it has been a very long route, so the organisers had to manage a long route with many logistical challenges, including movement, safety, and coordination of Kanwariyas.
Long-distance religious processions generally require coordination with local authorities to keep participants and other road users safe. The challenging route makes planning an increasingly important part of the process for the organisers.
Students and women’s participation has also been perceived as a sign of greater public involvement. Bohra said many women who had never traveled outside their homes had joined the pilgrimage, indicating that people are more willing to undertake public religious and cultural activities.
The yatra is expected to continue towards the Bhoramdeo Temple, and those who participate are going to go on a journey of commitment.
For the organisers, the pilgrimage is not only a religious journey but also an opportunity to bring communities and participants from different backgrounds together.
The 16 Baiga tribal members are likely to remain one of the most significant aspects of this year's yatra, especially because of Bohra's focus on their participation and their stated return to their original faith.
Meanwhile, the presence of young women, college and school students, and hundreds of Kanwariyas has expanded the pilgrimage beyond a traditional group of devotees.
As the 151-kilometre journey goes on, the participants are going to follow along the route to reach Bhoramdeo Temple.
With around 700 Kanwariyas, the Bol Bam Kanwar Yatra has become a major pilgrimage event, with Baiga tribal members, students, and women joining the event.
