Sai Baba Photos:
11th-16th July Ashadhi Ekadashi
celebrations 2008 &
Bhagawan's visit to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
-
Inauguration of Gastrointestinal Unit and Sri Sathya Sai First Annual CME
Conference
Bhagawan visit to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
scroll down this page to
see all the photos from 11th-16th July
Music Program by
Shri. Kailash Kher and Pandit Falguni Mitra
July 15-16, 2008
On
the 16th evening the stage was set for the curtain down of this year’s Aashadi
Programme and on the stage was Pt. Falguni Mitra, a foremost exponent of
dhrupad. Bringing forth imaginative phrases filled with emotion and nuance with
extra ordinary sense of proportion the veteran singer engrossed Bhagawan and the
capacity gathering for almost an hour with his North Indian Classical rendering.
The singer was blessed with a ring materialised by Bhagawan, along with shawl
and the entire troupe was presented with safari pieces and sarees with blessings
in abundance. As Ashadi slowly gliding past, up comes Guru
Purnima on 18th July with Educare Conference and an International Exhibition on
its sidelines waiting for Divine Benediction. An eventful week to come… 15th July:
The Sufi Singer whose penchant for evoking undiscovered adrenalin with his high
pitched devotional numbers often with his raw, yet deep voice that touches the
soul would have wondered at the perfect discipline that was on display in
Prasanthi Nilayam when he set the hall into raptures on the 15th evening with
his popular all time hit, Alla Ke Bande that was followed by a bouquet of
devotional songs as a dedication at His Divine Lotus Feet. It was the emerging
singer’s prodigal talent that was on display in the beautiful evening that
succeeded the auspicious Aashadi Ekadashi. With his rare blend of talent,
devotion and discipline, the singer went on singing interposing with commentary,
at times going bit informal. As was his wont, the singer was on his feet for a
moment, lifting the mike admitting that he was not used to sit and sing, rather
would be ‘dancing to his tunes’. Acknowledging the discipline in Prasanthi
Nilayam, the singer shared his feelings on the entire episode in a brief chat
with our reporting team at the end of the programme. In a humble gesture Kher
summarized the entire episode as a great feeling that could not be expressed. In
his life, he has always been spending time with saints in Godly Company and has
been fortunate enough to be allowed to sit at their feet; it has been a great
journey for him. And about the day’s experience Mr. Kher said, it was not
different as he felt all of them were incarnations of God in different forms.
So, it was the energy that flowed through them, it was singing from the heart
that was doing the miracle. It was a great feeling and he felt like a child
sitting in His lap completely surrendering to Him, acknowledged the singer.
While blessing the singer profusely for his wonderful performance, Bhagawan
materialised a ring and a chain and the entire troupe has been blessed by
Bhagawan with safari pieces, coveted photo session and beyond all, Blessings in
abundance! A perfect evening, when adrenalin was checked by the wondrous
presence of Lord in physical, adrenalin was in fact turned into a feeling of
Divine Ecstasy!
Photos: Tuesday, July 15 -16, 2008:
JAI
SAIRAM
Photos: Monday, July 14, 2008:
A Dance displaying 'Vaarkari Sampradaya' and a skit entitled, 'Atma
Ramayana'
Morning, July 14, 2008
Haribhaktom Ki
Doli Aayi Hei…Ashadi Manane Parthi Aayi Hei …this was the song that reverberated Prasanthi Nilayam
when Bhagawan made His grant entry on the auspicious morning at 8:50 a.m. The
rendering captivated the air with vigour and the audience went ecstatic as
they clapped rhythmically to the chanting of
Vittala Vittala Jayapanduranga, while the men in the middle symbolically
representing the Vaarakari Sampradaya,
danced to the tune to the dais, to the Lord who was seated on the dais. The
function got underway with Bhagawan lighting the lamp on the dais.
Atma Ramayana, a musical dance ballet on
the story of Lord Sri Rama by the children of Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas and
pre-sevadal from Pune Zone was the highlight of the morning session. It was
Ramayana live in the Divine Presence with various facets of the epic were
depicted with élan changing scenes in quick succession not compromising the
continuity. The story began with a Balavikas class discussing the epic and its
greater significance. With the Teacher’s narration goes into the basics, there
came great composers of the epic, namely, Valmiki, Kamban, Tulsidas,
Thyagaraja explaining the significance, getting in to finer aspects weaving
the epic in detail. The golden deer episode, abduction of Mother Sita,
Jatayu’s loyalty, Sugriva Episode, Killing of Vali, Crossing over to Lanka,
The Lanka Fire, Killing of Ravana and Kumbhakarna were all depicted
beautifully interposing with ballets to make the presentation live and
colourful.
Bhagawan holds Ramayana so dear to His heart and any presentation on the theme
should win His heart in no uncertain terms. Immensely pleased Bhagawan gave a
coveted photo session to the entire troupe comprising of 143 girls and 81
boys. The Ramayana is such a powerful story that one does not need a fantastic
script or great acting skills. The story simply narrated itself inspires and
generates devotion and love from within. So the morning session that started
off with devotional fervour on Lord Vittala ended with the coronation ceremony
of Lord Sri Ramachandra, a perfect finale for a wonderfully blessed morning.
'Tripura Rahasya', A
Dance Ballet
Evening, July 14, 2008
In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 4:30 p.m. and the stage was set for the
second presentation for the day, Tripura Rahasyam, yet another music ballet by
the students of Balvikas from Mumbai. The dance ballet was an attempt
highlighting through stories and analogies, the entire spectrum of man’s
pursuit towards finding an answer to his spiritual quest and his final
attainment. The ballet was based on one of the greatest works of Sri Ramanana
Maharishi expounding the traditional teachings where a Sadguru imparts
knowledge about the inner perception, enabling the disciple to share the same
state. The presentation had a message for the world to understand the ultimate
Trinity inherent in one and all.
The Tripura Rahasyam literally means, "Beyond the Trinity". For his part,
however, the disciple must be eager, have full zeal to know and have
unqualified faith in the Guru's guidance. The programme began with a dance in
veneration of Goddess Tripura. The goddess, regarded as the pure unsullied
Intelligence manifests in ten forms, namely
Dhoomavathi, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Tripura Bhairavi, Maha Kali,
Tara, Matangi, Chinnamastha, Bagala Mukhi and Kamalathmika.
The presentation revolved around
Lord Dattatreya, the ultimate Guru, imparting the knowledge to Sage Parasurama,
the representative of man. The programme interwoven with classy dialogues
coupled with beautiful and colourful ballet had glittering curtain down with the
Divine Mother manifesting with all Her majesty and grandeur on the chariot while
all the sages, namely Sanaka, Vasishta, Pulasthya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrigu, Athri,
Angiras, Prachetasa, Narada, Cyavana, Vamadeva, Vishwamitra, Goutama, Sukra,
Parashara, Vyasa, Kanva, Kashyapa, Daksha, Sumanthu, Shanka, Likhita and Devala,
were praying for Her ultimate presence!
And again it was time for photo session. Bhagawan chose to climb down the aisle
once again to bless the participants with coveted photo session followed by one
to one interactions with many of the participants. Reward for all the hard work
and devotion from the Ultimate Divinity!
Ashadi Ekadashi - Devotional fervour reminiscing age old
traditions…
Dindi Seva and Music
Program by Sri. Kunal & Smt. Gayatri Ganjawalla
July
11-13, 2008
The Vaarkari Sampradaya that showcases
maratta legacy with great religious passion dates back to centuries
displaying devotion to Lord Vittal Rukmai, the Lord of Pandharpur, is followed
with great devotional fervour even today in Maharashtra. Lakhs and lakhs of
devotees go walking on foot in huge processions to Pandharpur, the abode of Lord
Vittala singing abhangas of Sant Thukkaram and Sant Jnaneshwar to have
the darshan of their Lord on the auspicious month of Chaturmasa that heralds the
arrival of Ashadi Ekadashi.
Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of
the Chaturmasa and that ends with Kaarathik Ekadashi. It is celebrated during
the months of June-July, known as Ashada Shukla Paksha in the vernacular
calendar. People consider the two eleventh days, “Ekadashi”, of every month to
be of special significance. The eleventh day of Ashadi is known as the great
Ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi. This is the day on which people go on walking in huge
processions to the Abode of Lord Vittala in Pandharpur, which is popularly known
as Vaarkarari Sampradaya. This is a time honoured cult and an important landmark
in the colourful history in the state of Maharashtra. According to historians
devotees have been performing Vaari long before the advent of Sant
Jnaneshwar in the 13th century and the current practice of carrying the
paadukas of the saint in a palki from the Samadhi of the saint to
Pandharpur for the holy darshan of Lord Vittala was started by the son of Sant
Thukkaram by name Sant Narayan Maharaj in 1685.
With every culture and tradition find due
recognition at the highest abode of peace in Prasanthi Nilayam, Ashadi Ekadashi
also has been a regular feature in the festival calendar in Prasanthi Nilayam
for the past more than a decade, evoking nostalgic memoirs of the golden days of
the past. An aesthetically decorated Sai Kulwant Hall bore a festive look with
the backdrop on the dais adorning a huge cut out of Lord Vittala and hoardings
with Divine Teachings and buntings hanging in the hall. Reminiscing the past,
rallying behind the traditions set by the two great spiritual masters from the
state, Sant Thukkaram and Sant Jnaneswar, Sai Fraternity from the twin states
Maharashtra and Goa thronged to Prasanthi Nilayam, rekindling the golden
memoirs, to be in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the
auspicious occasion on 14th July 2008.
Earlier, this year’s Ashadi celebrations had a
wonderful beginning on the 13th evening with celebrity singer duo, Kunal
Ganjawalla and Gayatri Ganjawalla sang their heart out in the Divine Presence
displaying a perfect blend of devotional fervour and Divinely gifted talent.
More than the singing show what captivated the entire audience was Bhagawan’s
all conquering love that was aptly reciprocated by the devotional touch of the
singing duo. Starting with invocation song on Lord Ganesha, the couple took the
entire audience to melodic ecstasy with selected Hindustani numbers including,
Thumak Chalat Ramachandra, Sainath Tere Hazaro Haath, Oh Rama! Nee Nama
Yenta Ruchira etc., all that were so close to the heart of Bhagawan. The
evening was made doubly beautiful with the Lord reciprocating to the prayerful
supplication of the duo, in His most inimitable style. At the end of the
programme Bhagawan materialised a chain and a ring and asked the couple to
exchange the same to each other, virtually performing a ‘marriage’. Later when
our reporting team met the singer duo, they narrated the incident as the most
special one in their life, a dream come true, a long cherished desire that was
fulfilled by all merciful Bhagawan.
A huge contingent of Sai devotees from
Maharashtra and Pune walk every year from Dharmavaram to Prasanthi Nilayam
symbolically signifying the age old and time tested Vaarkari Sampradaya.
“Service to Man is service to God”, the popular dictum of Bhagawan is
essentially put in to practice every year by the devotees participating in the
religious walk who are engaged in service and social activities enroute their
walk to Prasanthi Nilayam during the approach days of the festivity. Multi-speciality
medical camps were conducted during the two days of their walk, with specialised
treatment in Dentistry, Ophthalmology,Physiotherapy and Dermatology were given
to the needy alongwith Veterinary Camps and Vibrionics Camps followed by
Narayana Seva.
Concert by the musical couple
Sri.Kunal Ganjawalla and his wife Gayatri Ganjawalla
Bhagawan visit to
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
Inauguration of
Gastrointestinal Unit and Sri Sathya Sai First Annual CME ConferenceBhagawan visit
to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
Inauguration of Gastrointestinal Unit and Sri Sathya Sai First
Annual CME Conference
July 12, 2008
The architectural marvel in Prasanthigram, Sri Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences has ever been growing since it's inception
in the year 1991. The latest addition is a Gastrointestinal Endoscopy department
that was inaugurated on the 12th July 2008 by Bhagawan Himself.
Escorted by flag bearing bike riders, Bhagawan arrived at the south entrance of the
hospital at about 3:40 p.m. to a traditional welcome with Purna Kumbham and Veda
Chanting. A visibly pleased Bhagawan moved through the corridors blessing devotees
and staff members lined up on both sides to catch a glimpse of the rare occasion.
Entering the newly set Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Department, He blessed the
contingent of medical experts who have been responsible in setting up the
department. A short video presentation was arranged on Endoscopy. Bhagawan went
through the demonstration and an exhibition narrating in short detail the work flow
of the new department. Bhagawan subsequently blessed the GI endoscopy ICU room and
expressed pleasure with the facilities meant for patients.
A two days Orthopedic Conference was being held and Bhagawan graciously entered into
the conference hall to the delights of hundreds of medical experts from the field. A
few distinguished doctors received momentos from Bhagawan. Bhagawan moved amongst
the delegates interacting with them. Bhagawan then accepted Mangal Aarathi and
returned to Mandir.