Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2007 (19th-20th October)

October 21, 2007

Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2007 (Friday 19th October) Morning Darshan On this auspicious day of Durga Ashtami the 8th day of the Navratri function, various activities have taken place. On this holy day, the instruments (Astras & Vehicles) are worshipped. Today is the day Swami, Himself performs the worship of the vehicles. This tradition has been followed since the ancient times of Bharat (India). On this day, the Pandavas completed their time in exile and the 13th year of hiding. On this day, the weapons that were hidden away were reclaimed. In the usual manner, Grama Seva commenced with Pradikshana around the Sanctum Sanctorum. One of the villages covered today was Locherla. This village is located in the Kotachero Mandal, and consisted of over 800 houses with approximately 3350 residents. The community spirit was

noticeable as one of the teams arrived and the villagers were waiting for us eagerly. As the supply vehicles drove into the village, they were cheerfully welcomed by the local children who were all shouting “Sai Ram Sai Ram!!” whilst the parents and grandparents welcomed us quietly with a heartfelt smile and twinkle in their eyes. With the Army of Swami’s students, Swami’s prasadam was distributed very rapidly before lunchtime as per Swami’s instructions. Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2007 (Saturday 20th October) Morning Darshan On this very day, Swami declared his avatarhood. At the age of 14, Swami left his parents' home to fulfil His divine mission. Today being the 9th day of navratri the crowd continues to grow in anticipation of the Dusshera celebrations. Today's rahulkalam (the inauspicious period of the

day) was between 9 – 10.30am, therefore Swami's students left in the early hours of the morning for Grama Seva. As usual many villages received Swami's prasadam. One particular village that was served was called, Janakampalli, in the Bukkhapatnam mandal. The village consisted of approximately 1150 houses with an approximate population of 4500. In total there were 7 sub groups made up of 12-14 Sai students each. This also included a group of the UK Grama Seva group. With Swami's grace, the activities which included nagarsankirtan, distribution of prasadam, bhajans and aarti were completed quickly and efficiently. The group returned to Prasanthi Nilayam at 10.15am and went straight to the Yagna at the Poornachandra Hall. Our dear Swami entered the Poornachandra hall just after the rahulkalam ended, to reside over the Yagna. Swami blessed all the priests taking part during the mantra pushpam aarti. He then headed

towards the Sai Kulwant hall where thousands of devotees were waiting eagerly since the early hours of the morning. Swami did a full round of darshan in his chair giving love and joy to all, and then headed to the interview room to bless the chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. After a short interview Swami headed back to Yajur Mandiram. Afternoon Darshan Swami came for darshan at 5.40pm, taking a full round in his chair. He then went onto the portico to bless an eminent Indian classical music clarinet player. The musician with his accompanying artists started playing a few select Bhajans, songs and ragas. The ragas played included Hamsadhwani, 2 bhajans of which one was Prema Mudhita Manase Kaho and finished with raga bhairavi. Out of His infinite grace Swami materialised a gold chain for the clarinet player and gave new clothes to each of the musicians. Whilst the music was being played,

prasadam was issued to all devotees present in the Sai Kulwant hall. Swami called for aarti at 6.40pm and then retired to his residence for the evening. Courtesy: Arvind Tank