Music College Students singing Thyagaraja kirtanas

JAN 30th: THYAGARAJA ARADAHANA DAY

Thyagraja Aradhana or ‘glorification or worship of the composer-saint Sri Thyagaraja’ is held every year on Pushya Bagula Panchami day (according to the Hindu calendar) when the saint attained Mahasamadhi. Renowned musicians gather at his resting place at Tiruvaiyaru, near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu to pay a musical homage to this great saint.

 

The Principal, staff and students of the Sai Mirpuri Music College also paid homage to this saint on this 158th anniversary day, by singing Pancharatna kirtis followed by a selection of the saint's compositions and held the audience spellbound for over an hour and a half.

Zoroastrians and the sculptor

FEB 4th: 'SARVA MATHAMULA SARAM- SAI MATHAM' A DRAMA BY THE BALA VIKAS CHILDREN OF VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT

About 74 children presented a drama depicting Sai as the essence of all religions.

A poor sculptor on finding a black stone in the jungle is trying to decide which deity he should chisel out of the stone. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Zoroastrians all try to prevail upon the poor sculptor to sculpt the respective deities of their own religion. A fight then ensues on the superiority of each religion over the others.

Suddenly an ethereal voice coming out of the stone declares Sai's teaching – “There is only one caste, the caste of humanity; only one religion, the religion of love and only one God who is omnipotent”. All religions then pay homage to Sai.

Clothes for the Groom

FEB 9th: BHEEMA RATHA SHANTI - DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHES AND JEWELLERY FOR THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Swami out of His infinite compassion decided to conduct an auspicious ceremonial marriage rite for couples aged 70 years and over. Termed as 'Bheema Ratha Shanti 2005', this grand and unique ceremony was to be held on Feb 10th.

On Feb 9th, Swami had all the 275 eligible couples, selected from the staff and village residents, assembled in Sai Kulwant Hall and distributed clothes to the couples and jewellery for the bride to wear for the marriage ceremony the next day. The beautiful maroon coloured sari for the bride and the plush dhoti and angaveshtram for the groom left everyone in awe and in tears of gratitude. Jewellery items like earrings and silver anklets were also given by the generous Lord. Truly, only He knows how to give!

Distributing the Mangal Sutra to each couple

FEB 10th: MORNING - BHEEMA RATHA SHANTI - A SECOND MARRIAGE FOR COUPLES OVER 70 YEARS OLD

The 275 couples entered Sai Kulwant Hall at around 8:30 a.m. in a procession from the Old Kalyana Mantap. The entire Sai Kulwant Hall was decked with carpets and a small area was 'fenced off' for each of the 275 couples; they were also provided with a table and chairs and all the ingredients to perform this Vedic rite. Looking radiantly beautiful Swami blessed all the couples profusely, and even went around and personally handed over the Mangal Sutra to each couple before the ceremony.

 

The ceremony was well conducted by a knowledgeable priest and there was also a brief tribal dance at the end of the ceremony. All the couples and their guests were later provided a sumptuous lunch at the South Indian canteen.

Sudha sings for the Lord

FEB 10th: EVENING - DIVINE DISCOURSE AND A SUDHA RAGHUNATH CONCERT

In the afternoon, Swami still being in a mood to provide further blessings gave an unexpected discourse. Swami said that we are incorrectly ignoring these elders thinking them to be useless to society. The strength and energy latent in these elders are not to be found in youth. Any new activity will become fruitful only when you take the guidance of elders.

Afterwards there was a concert by the renowned singer Ms Sudha Raghunath. Her family have been ardent devotees for nearly 60 years and she expresses her devotion for Swami through her mellifluous voice. Swami made a chain for her and also profusely blessed all the group members at the end.

Some School boys with their beloved Mother Sai

FEB 15th: 'MOMENTS OF GRATITUDE' - A DRAMA BY THE X STANDARD BOYS OF THE SRI SATHYA SAI HIGH SCHOOL

This drama was staged by the tenth class of the Higher Secondary school to express their thanks to Swami for their 10 years stay at His Lotus Feet and for the immense love that He gave each and every one of them. The programme consisted of songs, skits, narration of their experiences of His divinity, and the application of Swami's teachings to their real life problems.

The students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Swami through their talks and heart melting songs. Being immensely pleased, Bhagavan manifested a chain for a student and also posed for the coveted group photographs with the entire tenth class. Swami also blessed that they do well in their public exams.

Chinese New Year at Prashanti Nilayam

FEB 17th: CELEBRATION OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AT PRASHANTI NILAYAM

The Chinese New Year celebrations last over 15 days. On the ninth day, prayers are offered to the Heavenly Father (Tian Gong).

Chinese devotees from Singapore dressed in their brightly coloured new clothes, came to pay their respects to their divine parent on this holy day. The celebration proceeded with the chanting of the Hindu Mantra ‘Avalokitesvara’ mentioning the names of Shiva, Vishnu, Narasimha, Lakshmi and Varaham in Chinese. Choir singing of Chinese songs expressing their love and devotion for Swami followed next. The programme concluded with the singing of Chinese Bhajans to our Lord.

Devotees were given traditional Chinese red packets (hong bao) of sweets as Prasadam, and also mandarin oranges after they were offered to Swami.