During the month of Savan, a significant pilgrimage period in Varanasi, many pilgrims, known as Kavariyas, visit the city. They wear orange attire and carry sticks with pots of Ganges water as part of their ritual. About 7-8 years ago, a notable incident occurred involving a 10-year-old Kavariya. Early in the morning, around 4 AM, this young boy, who had consumed bhang (a traditional cannabis preparation), took control of a train at Banaras railway station. The train was scheduled to depart at 6 AM, and its drivers had left the engine running while they went for tea on the platform.

Government authorized bhang shop in Varanasi

The Kavariya, under the influence of bhang, climbed into the driver’s cab and started the train in reverse. Without any knowledge of train operations, he drove the train in the opposite direction—from Gorakhpur to Allahabad, instead of the intended route. The train, which was meant to travel at a much slower pace, was speeding at 120 km/h, ignoring track conditions and speed limits. The situation quickly escalated as other trains were halted and media attention grew. The boy, who appeared to be enjoying the attention, continued driving the train while smiling and greeting onlookers.

Bhang balls

Eventually, the railway authorities decided to derail the train to stop it. They placed sandbags on the tracks and used track brakes to bring the train to a halt. Fortunately, the boy was unharmed in the incident. The train fell but did not result in any injuries. The boy was arrested, and the train drivers, who had left the engine unattended, were dismissed from their positions. The official explanation from the government was that the boy was mentally unwell, but many believed that his actions were a direct result of being under the influence of bhang. The general consensus was that the drivers’ negligence contributed significantly to the incident.