Sai Baba for Beginners
Sahasra Poorna Yagna
(Great Offering for Universal Peace)
Sathya Sai Baba is approaching His 83rd year; birthday celebrations have commenced.
Birthday celebrations include Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Santhi Mahotsavam, a great Hindu sacrificial rite, a particularly auspicious activity for the welfare of the world. This is taking place at the Sathya Sai Vidya Giri Stadium (formerly called Hillview Stadium) over the next three days.
As a prelude, talks on the sacred scripture, Srimad Bhagavatam, will commence on 10th November 2008 and were conducted for a week.
This sacred programme is being conducted for the well being of Mankind and for world peace; it is not for the laudation of Sri Sathya Sai Baba nor his devotees. It is a sacrifical activity intended for the welfare of humanity at large. It commences on the morning of Saturday, the 15th November 2008 and culminates in Poornahuti on Monday, the 17th November 2008. The programme will be conducted by hundreds of Vedic scholars arriving from various parts of India.
Daily news and coverage of the event is available on the front page of the Radio Sai Global Harmony website.
Sai Baba for Beginners is at these celebrations, so we bring you our own coverage. All photographs © Mark Proctor, 2008
Shortly (like half an hour) after arrival in Puttaparthi, Swami was seen emerging from the Ashram.
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Here are the program sheets for the Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Santhi Mahotsavam, which is being conducted in Vidya Giri Stadium:
You can view full size images of the program here and here.
Birthplace of Sri Sathya Sai Baba
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The crowds have increased a 100 fold. Swami came within 10 feet today, so I was very happy. Here's a pic at the Swami's birthplace, I took today during a puja. They say that Swami's true birthday is on the full moon which was yesterday.
Vidya Giri Stadium:
The Yagna started at 7.30 with the Ganesh and pujas to Lord Vishnu (Venkateswa). Swami came around 8.40am and stayed on the dais for a couple of hours. The Stadium was not full. The yagna finished around 1pm. It restarted at 3.30 and finished around 7pm. Here's a pic I shot just before the crowds arrived for the 3.30pm start.
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We were all given caps with the Maha yagna written on it. Quite a sight seeing the masses wearing these. It looked like a bed of flowers as you scanned the stadium. All the buildings are lit up at night with those neon lights. Wonderful to see. Even Swami's abode is lit up in multi-colors.
Vidya Giri Stadium:
The Yagna and The Golden Chariot
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Yesterday it rained and kept on raining. We were all huddled under plastic sheeting the Seva Dals had provided. Swami came for the morning session. The evening sessions were held in Kulwant Hall. I decided to go back to the stadium instead to witness the continuation of the yagna. It didn't finish till about 8pm.
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There must of been around 30 people on the men's side during the late stages. Quite surreal being there in a empty stadium at that time.
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Too many at the ashram to get into darshan. They had a huge video screen near the Ganesh gate. Today was clear sky's and quite warm. I got there at 3.30am to get a good spot. It was very muddy and wet still on the ground. It again started around 6am.
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Swami came on the Golden Chariot, around 9.20. We were too far away to get close. But what a sight to behold with the morning sun (Surya) shining down on the procession. Swami dressed in yellow sitting on top. A golden hue emanated from Him . A sight I will never forget!
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He arrived and did the Poonahuti etc. Large video screens are set-up, so you can see everything. After it was all over and Swami left, I quickly detoured towards the chariot that was parked on the side, and managed to touch and do pranams.
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