Loving Pranams at the Divine Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Baba,
Bhagawan Baba’s 91st birthday was celebrated with a 5day program starting from Saturday 19th Nov (Ladies Day) till Wednesday 23rd Nov 2016(Bhagawan’s Birthday).
First Day – Saturday Nov 19th:
Ladies Day was celebrated in the morning and evening. In the morning from 12 noon onwards there was Maha Narayana Seva to 850 patients and their attendants at the Seva Dal canteen of SSSIHMS, Whitefield.
In the evening, Ladies Day program was arranged in which ladies took an active part. The program commenced with bhajans being sung by the ladies group of Sai Gitanjali. This was followed by a music program by an young and upcoming classical singer Kum. Apoorvalakshmi and her team. It was a scintillating program. The program concluded with felicitations to the artists and Maha mangala arathi and prasada vinyoga. Nearly 100 devotees attended the program.
Day 1 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91743483@N08/016kCz
Second Day – Sunday Nov 20th:
In the morning:
9:30 am – Vastra danam to inmates of the Sri Sathya Sai Vriddhashrama, at the Gokulam canteen complex Whitefield.
10:30 am – Donation of Amrutha kalasa sets at the SSSIHMS, Whitefield.
In the evening, there was a colourful devotional program with Bhagawan’s Rathotsavam being taken around the streets of Sai Gitanjali with Veda chanting and bhajans. The procession was led by a Nadaswaram team, a devotee carrying the auspicious Kalasha, Swami’s Padukas, flags and birthday banner, vedam chanters and bhajan singers. The procession also had devotees carrying Swami’s messages on placards. Close to 180 devotees participated in the evening. The program concluded with special bhajans inside the mandir and maha mangala arathi being offered to Bhagawan.
Day 2 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91743483@N08/9q3Wvt
Third Day – Monday Nov 21st:
In the morning, the Balvikas team celebrated Swami’s birthday with specially abled children at Mano Vikas Kendra, JP Nagar 3rd phase with bhajans, mangala arathi and distributing gifts and prasad to the children.
In the evening, at Sai Gitanjali, the programme started with circumbulation of the mandir Nine (9) times singing bhajans. Next there was Deepotsavam, lighting of 91 lamps at Swami’ altar. Nearly 71 devotees attended the evening program. The program for the evening concluded by offering Maha mangala arathi to Bhagawan.
Day 3 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91743483@N08/GG8oL0
Fourth Day – Tuesday Nov 22nd:
In the morning, bhajans and seva was performed at the Belaku Vriddashrama, Jayanagar 9th blk, near Ragigudda Temple. The bhajans were led by the Mahila bhajan team of Sai Gitanjali. The bhajans continued for 1 hour. Later, Narayana seva was performed to all the inmates.
In the evening, there were special bhajans by all groups of singers. About 51 devotees participated.
Day 4 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91743483@N08/rc7927
Fifth Day – Wednesday Nov 23rd: Birthday of Bhagawan Baba –
In the morning, there was Omkar, Suprabhatam and Nagar sankirtan. Nearly 33 devotees participated for this early morning event.
In the evening, the program started with Omkar, Gayathri, Veda chanting and Swami’s ashtotara chanting. A very lively and colourfully decorated Jhoola mahotsavam was conducted. Devotees took turns to offer Chamara seva (fanning the Lord) and gently push (swing) the Jhoola from behind. A bouquet of special bhajan’s by all groups of singers was presented to Bhagawan. This was followed by a cake cutting ceremony. The cake had a beautiful Sarva Dharma logo with the number 91 in the centre. Maha mangala arathi was then offered to Bhagawan. Next, all the devotees joined in performing the Samoohika Pushpa Archana to Swami’s Blessed Padukas.
The program concluded with a display of fireworks by the children in the annexe of Sai Gitanjali and distribution of prasadam.
Day 5 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91743483@N08/459v66
Some Glimpses of the 5-day celebration
