A family from Patiala is carrying their 102-year-old grandmother, Sunhari Devi, in a palki during the 2026 Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage [1], [2].
The journey highlights the intersection of familial duty and religious devotion in India, where the Kanwar Yatra serves as a significant spiritual event. By transporting their elder, the family transforms a traditional pilgrimage into a personal tribute to their matriarch.
Sunhari Devi is being carried by nine members [2] of her 12-member family [2]. The group is using a palki, or palanquin, to ensure the grandmother can participate in the pilgrimage despite her age. This method of transport allows the family to navigate the route while keeping the 102-year-old [2] woman central to their journey.
The family said the effort is intended to honor the blessings and guidance of their grandmother, and while expressing their shared devotion to Lord Shiva [1], [2]. The Kanwar Yatra typically involves devotees traveling to fetch holy water from the Ganges River to bring back to their local shrines.
This specific pilgrimage in Punjab reflects a commitment to intergenerational respect. The logistical effort of nine family members [2] supporting one elder underscores a cultural emphasis on honoring ancestors and elders through physical service, and spiritual practice.
The pilgrimage is taking place this week as part of the 2026 cycle of the Yatra [1]. The family continues to move through the region, drawing attention to their unique method of transport and their dedication to Sunhari Devi's presence during the religious rites.
“The family is carrying Sunhari Devi in a palki throughout the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage.”
The use of a palanquin for a centenarian during the Kanwar Yatra illustrates the adaptation of traditional religious practices to accommodate the elderly. This act emphasizes the cultural value of 'seva' or selfless service within the Indian family structure, where the spiritual merit of the pilgrimage is extended to the act of caring for a parent or grandparent.
