Sunday, March 23, 2008

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra had come for an audience with Bhagawan on Friday. Today Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the Art of Living Foundation had an audience with Swami in the morning. In the evening, the concluding day of the Holi celebrations by the Bihar and Jharkhand devotees had programmes by the Sai youth. Bhagawan arrived at 5.20 pm, and after a round of the verandah, moved in His chair towards the Primary School children. Moving in front of them, He took a round of the students before returning to the interview room, emerging just before six o'clock for the cultural programme. The Sai youth sang songs for half an hour, then presented a half-hour skit on the transformation brought about by the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme. Prasadam was distributed while Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

The second day of Holi celebrations by devotees from Bihar and Jharkhand was marked with a drama on Shabari by balvikas children. Bhagawan arrived at 5.45 pm, and went into the interview room as the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall was being arranged for the drama. When He emerged a few minutes later, He first called up some Primary School children and gave them cartons of Easter Eggs and other confections to distribute. The fifty-minute drama then began. Bhagawan was pleased with the performance, and Blessed "Shabari" with a chain, granting group photographs to all the participants. Prasadam was distributed as Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence at seven o'clock.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Devotees from Bihar and Jharkhand had arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam for Holi celebrations, and this evening was the first day of their programmes. Bhagawan arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall at 4.45 pm, welcomed by small children bearing lamps. Once He reached the stage, the programme commenced, with a dance by children while a song on Gayatri was being sung. The musical offerings continued for the next 45 minutes. At the end, Bhagawan Blessed the performers with group photographs and asked them to sing bhajans. Fifteen minutes of their Bhajans followed, till Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence.