AWAKENINGS

The Kanwar Yatra is scheduled to start on July 22, 2024, and end on August 2, 2024, which is Sawan Shivratri.  Sawan Shivratri is the day for the water offering or jalabhishek.   The “Kanvar” is carried by the pilgrims on both shoulders during the Kanvar Yatra. A “kanvar” is a little bamboo pole with two colorful clay pots connected to its opposing ends. While undertaking this trip, the Kanvarias balance the Kanvars on their shoulders and fill the clay pots with sacred water for giving at the shrine of Lord Shiva.   Bharath, though divided by castes, creed, cultures, is united by Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana Dharma is the most powerful link to save and protect Hinduisms with all its splendor and glories.    Chants of HARA HARA MAHADEV BY KANWAR YATRIS are due to their utmost faith in Hinduism.   Let us salute all Kanwar Yatris with flower petals.   ON BEHALF OF ALL E-TOUCH MEMBERS, WE OFFER FLOWER PETALS TO KANWAR YATRIS.  

  Pandharpur is a Popular pilgrimage town, on the banks of Chandrabhagā River, near Solapur city in Solapur District, Maharashtra, India.  The presiding deities of Pandharpur are Shri Vitthal and His Consort Rukmini whose Temple is called Vithoba Mandir. Vithoba is considered as incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna and the temple is one amongst 108 Vaishnava Pilgrimage Centre. Pandharpuri Wari or Pandharpuri Journey involves carrying the paduka of a saint in a palkhi or a palanquin – here notably Dyneshwar and Tukaram from their respective shrines of Alandi and Dehu respectively in Pune District of Maharashtra to Pandharpur. The pilgrimage takes 21 days.  The wari or journey culiminates at the Vithoba Temple on the holly occasion of Shavani Ekadashi. Devotees from across Maharashtra and nearby areas leave for Pandharpur, wearing holy Tulasi mala (basil beads) and singing the glories of Vithoba. When they reach Pandharpur on Shayani Ekadashi, the devotees bathe in the sacred Bhima R

Mahara Sankranti or Thai Pongal are celebrated to worship Sun God by people  in India for blessings with life giving energy called Sun Rays. It is the festival of farmers around Bharat and especially in Tamil Nadu where Farmers worship God Surya by cooking Sweet Pongal in the open courtyard surrounded by all family members who, on seeing the  boiling rice, will shout full throated ‘PONGALO, PONGAL’. On Pongal, Farmers worship their domesticated animals like bullocks, cows and also their tools like plough, shovel, sickle ect apart from their   transport vehicles like carts, tractors and trailers etc.   Pongal festivals will be celebrated for three days – First Day to worship Sun God, Second Day devoted to worship their farm animals and third day to meet their relatives at common place to exchange pleasantries and spend their time joyfully. During the preparation of Pongal, Sugar Cane and turmeric bunch are important items in this festival. Actually, turmeric bunch will be wound ro