PHOTOS & UPDATE: 18 NOV. Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival) - & GOLDEN CHARIOT BLESSINGS

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Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival)

 

Less the twenty-four hours after peaking to ecstatic spiritual heights sighting the Lord granting Golden Chariot Darshan, Prasanthi witnessed yet another chariot festival, the traditional annual affair preceding the Divine Birthday celebration.

The traditional Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival) at Prasanthi Nilayam on the 18th Nov, every year brings unprecedented joy to the devoted villagers in and around Puttaparthi, a tradition that goes back to the early 1950’s. On this day, the idol of Venugopala Swami moves back to its origin in a chariot procession lead by the idols of Lord Rama and Mother Sita. After worship is offered to the deities, the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita return to the Mandir. Later, in the evening, the idols are taken out in a procession in the village of Puttaparthi, amidst joyous celebration by the villagers.

 

The grand procession started after the idols were blessed by Bhagawan inside the Bhajan Hall; the procession was lead by the little Sathya Geeta, followed Veda chanting and bhajans by group of students of the Sathya Sai University . Bhagawan came out to the Gopuram gate to bless the procession accepting Managala Arathi. And the procession began…

Fresh from the preceding day’s astounding spectacle vividly enriched in the hearts and minds of multitudes, this was yet another occasion for Prasanthi Nilayam and Puttaparthi to rejoice…and there comes the big day 23rd November...

 

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Prasanthi Bulletin:

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

 

The traditional Rathotsavam in which the idols of Rama Lakshmana Sita along with Venugopala Swami are taken from the Mandir to the Kalyanamantapam in Puttaparthi was held this morning. Bhagawan arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall after blessing the baby elephant Gita near His residence and after a darshan round in His chair, went inside a few minutes before 9.30 am. The procession led by Vedam chanting students began soon after, and as they came near the stage, Bhagawan arrived there to send them to the Gopuram gate. He then moved to the Gopuram gate to see off the procession and then returned to the Mandir and asked for Bhajans to begin a few minutes before 10 o'clock. At 10.30, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

 

Monday, November 17, 2008

This morning dawned bright and sunny. The Stadium was filled with devotees by 9 o'clock for the conclusion of the three day Yagnam. Bhagawan left His residence shortly after 9.30 and alighted from His car to arrive at the stage in the Golden Chariot, moving all the way down the stadium in a procession, blessing everyone on the way. By 10 o'clock, He was onstage, and the Poornahuti got underway after all the distinguished religious figures onstage like heads of Kanchi Peetham, Sri Siddaganga Muth of Tumkur and many others had a brief interaction with Him. The Poornahuti function concluded, and the centurion Dr. Sivakumara Swamigalu of Tumkur gave a brief talk before Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to Yajur Mandir at 11 o'clock.

At 5.30 in the evening, Bhagawan arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall while the priests finished rituals leading up to the 'Rukmini Kalyanam' function. After a brief visit to the interview room, Swami sat onstage as the priests finished the marriage ceremony of Sri Krishna with Rukmini Devi. After the ceremony concluded, Bhagawan blessed the priests with gifts of clocks and then went on a round in His chair before the devotional songs by Ms. Mahalakshmi Iyer and party began onstage at 6.45. Forty-five minutes later, Bhagawan asked them to remain onstage, and called up the Malladi brothers to have their concert for the next 45 minutes. Swami then blessed the concert artistes with clothes, accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 8.15 pm.

 

Sunday, November 16, 2008

This morning, Bhagawan arrived at the venue of the Yagnam in the Stadium at 9.30 as the skies showered a fine spray of rain. Additions paraphernalia there were two huge elephants who were to lead the procession tomorrow. After spending an hour there moving around the stage and blessing the participants, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence. One of the distinguished persons onstage for today's function was Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore. In the evening, He arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall at 4.45 pm while the Abhisheka puja was going on for the deities onstage. After His darshan round in the chair, Swami sat there till the ceremonies concluded before starting the speeches an hour later. Pancha Sahasravadhani Sri. M. Mohan garu spoke on the story of Sri Krishna's birth for around 45 minutes. Bhagawan blessed him with a chain and clothes before the next presentation, which was a concert by the Malladi brothers

along with their father. They offered a CD produced by them to be released by Bhagawan and a song from it was played before their hour-long programme, following which Swami accepted Arati at 7.45 pm before returning to His residence.