82nd Birthday Celebrations - Report

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Love All Serve All Help Ever Hurt Never Visit www.srisathyasai.org.in official website of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust , Prasanthi Nilayam Home Then & Now Location Events A day in Ashram Ratotsavam (18th November 2007) Bharat has a rich tradition of Chariot Festivals with religious fanfare and

piety and famous among them is the one that happens in the temple city of Jagannadh Puri in Orissa. Prasanthi Nilayam, the holy abode of God in physical has its own version of Chariot Festival that happens every year on the 18th of November, virtually kick starting the Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The traditional Ratotsavam (chariot festival) that has been a regular fixture in the Prasanthi Festive Calendar over the years during the Birthday Celebrations was held on the 18th November with piety and religious fervour coupled with much deserved pomp and ceremony marking the beginning of a weeklong festivity celebrating 82nd year of His Divine Advent, His illustrious sojourn on earth. Two palanquins decorated aesthetically befitting the occasion carrying the idols of Lord Sri Rama, Lord Sri Krishna, Mother Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman were taken out in

a procession from the Bhajan Hall in the Mandir to the Peddavenkama Raju Kalyana Mandapam, as has been the custom over the years. Bhagawan’s little pet elephant lead the procession followed by Nadaswaram, Veda chanting and Bhajan singing groups from the University and schools. Adding on to the hype, fanfare and devotional enthusiasm of thousands congregated in Sai Kulwant Hall and on the road leading to the Kalyanamandapam, Bhagawan came out to the Gopuram Entrance ceremoniously blessing the occasion of mounting the Idols on to the chariot. Bhagawan returned to Sai Kulwant Hall after receiving Mangala Arathi and blessing the procession to commence. Ladies’ Day Mother Easwaramma’s greater virtues have often been found getting the much-deserved mention in Bhagawan’s Divine Discourses that serve as benchmark for the women folk around the world in

setting their life in the Ideal path. International Ladies’ Day that has been a regular feature in Prasanthi Nilayam ever since its inception in the year 1995 was celebrated on the 19th November in the Divine Presence. Ensuring the grandeur of the occasion, the venue, Sai Kulwant Hall was aesthetically decorated that had an array of hues of decorations ranging from multi-coloured parasols to multilayered floral arches, from buntings to festoons to lighted candles giving the resplendent look of Heaven on Earth. Bhagawan was accorded a grand traditional welcome by Veda Chanting girl students, Nadaswaram band from Anantapur Campus and Scottish Bagpiper Group from Sri Sathya Sai Primary and Higher Secondary School – Girls Wing. ‘GO’ which denotes cow in Sanskrit, occupies a very important place in Hindu mythology. It is believed that all the Gods and Goddess occupy different

parts of Gomata and with that belief Gomata is worshipped all over India during various auspicious occasions. The morning of 19th November saw a function organized by Easwaramma Women Welfare Trust founded with an objective of women empowerment giving away cows in charity to selected village women folk. Bhagawan most magnanimously came down the aisle to the middle of Sai Kulwant Hall to bless the recipients on the coveted occasion. Fifty cows and fourteen calves were given on charity on the occasion. Earlier, before the function Bhagawan came on to the dais to light the lamp officially marking the beginning of the day’s activities. Morning session had a bouquet of melodious bhajans by women devotees which was followed by prasadam distribution. The evening session became virtually a resplendent twilight musical and dance extravaganza with celebrated carnatic singer Nithyasree Mahadevan enthralling the audience followed by

a dazzling musical drama presentation titled SAI LEELA based on the life story of Bhagawan by children from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. Immensely pleased with the stupendous display and devotion of the tiny tots Bhagawan came down the aisle to pose for a group photo session. Earlier before the commencement of the cultural programmes, two senior speakers addressed the gathering sharing their thought with the audience. The first speaker, Dr. (Mrs.) Hymavathi Reddy chose to speak about the unfathomable love of Bhagawan. Asserting her faith in Bhagawan’s Motherly love, she narrated a beautiful experience of her own as to how Bhagawan cured her illness by a mere glance and attention that had happened way back in 1984. Dr. (Mrs.) Reddy urged the audience to resolve to expand their love and make our life His Message. The second speaker was Mrs. Sowcar Janaki, well

known veteran film actor from South India. With a speech with modesty, rich practical experience and conviction, Mrs. Sowcar Janaki gave an engrossing rhetoric stressing yet again her unflinching devotion to Bhagawan, her only God. Make use of the golden opportunity at being in His Institution and become instruments…come out with flying colours and get certified by Bhagawan as 24-carat gold. Empowerment and freedom of a girl does not mean that she is certified to do anything…freedom means greater responsibility…answerable to God…to our consciousness…concluded the veteran speaker receiving loud applause from one and all. An all India Workshop on Parenting was inaugurated by Bhagawan on the 20th morning. The conference will be attended by Balvikas co-coordinators from different states. In the evening the stage was set for a musical offering by Gazal Singer of fame, Pankaj Udhas. Taking cue from Bhagawan’s message that

youth should not resort to move out of the country with fancied interest and instead should stay back to serve the Mother Land, the singer broke out with his well known music piece, Chitti Aayee Hei…to the delight of one and all. Charismatic voice coupled with devotional fervour rendered the air in the twilight with Nada Brahma Himself accepting the offering. It was indeed heavenly! Apart from the hit song the Gazal artiste came out with some of the best compositions including a Sufi poem compeering intermittently giving details about the songs. This was followed by a Jhugalbandhi by the accompanying artistes in the evening. (to be continued…)

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