The Pada Mandir days.

[Guest guest]

We have read from the life history of Bagawan, very few people gathered during the 'old mandir' days.They used to come with their family in groups bringing along with them necessary provisions, utensils etc for cooking. Some times during festival days they may carry make shift tents. Puttaparthi in the olden but golden days lacked basic infrastructure. Hence for all purposes, people throng to the river bed and finishing bath etc, they may tread back to the old mandir. There may be hardly 10 to 15 visitors during normal days. Bajans were sung regularly with Swami leading the Bajans. Even Arati was performed by Swami. He allowed the couples to perform pada puja and before their departure they were granted the coveted interviews. Mrs Vijayakumari in her beautiful narration in the book, "Anyata charanam Nasti" chronicled many events of padamandir days with rare photographs. Miracles abound in those days with the granting of rare visions to visitors. Those who were fortunate to visit 'Bala Sai' during the pada mandir days, enjoyed the company of Sai in close quarters. Sairam.