December 31st 6:30 pm - Year ends as it began with Sathya Sai Baba's Divine Blessings
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall prasadam was distributed to all the devotees. Swami blessed all the devotees by giving darshan, sitting on the veranda as the bhajans were going on.
Swami also blessed many students, and presented on of the students with a Golden Chain.
The bhajans ended with aarathi and as Sathya Sai Baba was leaving for Yajur Mandir (swami's home) there was an announcement. Mr.Anil Kumar said that tomorrow in the Divine presence of Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba, the New Year Celebrations would begin at 9:00 am in Sai Kulwant Hall. He also wished Happy New Year to all the devotees.
December 28th 8:00 pm - Felicitation of Swami's devotees Mr.Gopala Rao garu
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall Mr.Gopala Rao garu Swami's devotee, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, was felicitated.
First there was a speech by a devotee who explained some of the seva Mr.Gopala Rao garu did. How he has been doing service to Swami for the last forty years. He said that even though being a Chairman of Andhra Bank after retiring when he got a chance to serve Swami. He did seva by supplying water to devotees in the canteen.
He also narrated many such wonderful incidents. He said once when Swami mentioned about the Seva Mr.Gopala Rao garu was doing in the canteen, the next day there were 200 people lining up to serve water but many left after few days. Its not where you serve but the way you serve to God that matters.
He also said that Swami has just told him to announce that Mr.Gopala Rao garu is actually 105 Years of age and not 100 Years.
He also narrated an incident where Swami was talking about Mr.Gopala Rao garu's cook who use to make some nice rasam for Swami, which Mr.Gopala Rao garu would take to Swami everyday. But due to ill health the cook passed away and one day when Mr.Gopala Rao garu was with Swami in Swami's car he informed Swami about the cook's death. And Swami remarked, He was a Good Man. After a few moments Swami asked him again what did I just say? Mr.Gopala Rao garu responded, Swami you said that the cook was a Good Man. That was Swami's message to lead life like a Good Man. Then the speaker remarked that is the way people should feel about you when you pass away. They don't need to say you were a great person. They just need to say you were a good person.
He ended his speech praying to Swami and wishing Mr.Gopala Rao garu a healthily and prosperous life.
After that Mr.Gopala Rao garu spoke in a very energetic voice about his experiences with Swami. He started his speech telling how Swami recently told him not to have the eye operation, which could fix his vision saying he has seen enough and spoken enough.
He said he spends his days listening to Swami's speeches on Radio Sai.
He then shared some of the wonderful ways Swami helped him through out his life. He spoke for more than half hour. And ended his speech by saying, when he asked Swami about what kind of seva work he should be doing. Swami replied saying, "Tell all the people I sent to about Me".
After the speech Mr.Chakravarthi garland Mr.Gopala Rao garu and then Swami blessed him with a Shawl and Swami stood and took pictures with him and talked with him for quite a long time.
Then Swami blessed and gave him and his son prasadam. Which was later distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. Then aarathi began and Swami left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home) briefly stopping on the ladies side to bless few devotees.
December 27th 7:30 pm - Drama by overseas devotees this evening in Prasanthi Nilayam
This evening there was a drama in English by overseas devotees. The drama was about the birth of Jesus Christ. Which small children beautifully recreated. The Choir with some wonderful songs accompanied them. After the drama the choir continued and sang few more songs.
Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. Swami also presented the performers and the Choir with clothes. With aarathi the events ended for the day and Swami left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home).
December 27th 9:30 pm - Sathya Sai Baba's 82nd Birthday celebrations Around the World
We have put pictures from Brazil, Texas, Malaysia, Guatemala City and Bangalore. So far we have added pictures from 56 different places from arouund the world.
If your Samithi or Group celebrated Swami birthday this year. Please send us pictures with description of the events that took place that day and details about the place where the events happened. You can email them at puttaparthilive.com@gmail.com
See the pictures from 82nd Birthday Celebrations Around The World.
December 26th 7:30 pm - Divine discourse by Sathya Sai Baba this evening in Prasanthi Nilayam
As promised to His devotees yesterday evening, Swami gave a divine discourse this evening. Swami gave the speech standing up. Swami talked about many wonderful messages. About Love and how Love should be filled in all the devotees. Swami said all the things in this universe are God's creation. Sooner you realize the God in you the sooner you will come closer to God. Talking about Thought Swami materialized a Golden Chain. And Mr.Anil Kumar said When Bhagawan has a thought he can create anything. Swami said try to see what's beneath the shadow. When you see a sunrise you see the shadows first but if you look past the shadow you will see the Sun. Similarly try to see past the illusions, Swami added.
Swami sat down and continued the speech. Swami said that many devotees think Swami is an ordinary Man Swami is not. It is the fault of the eye, which is seeing that way. So correct that eye. Swami also spoke about the Lord Jesus and about His Life story. Swami then had a message for the students. Swami said that students were like fruits with sweet juice in them. If you don't have the sweet juice what is the use. So try and fill yourself with Love and spread the message of Love. Swami said many educated people are in the world what is the use of them to this World without the Divine knowledge. Swami said all the devotees are instruments in Swami's hand for a Divine mission. Swami said Swami is around you, above you, beside you and in you. Swami added I and you are 1. All are in Swami. Then Swami began the Bhajan "Hari Bhajana Bhina Sukha Shanti Nahin" After the bhajan, which Swami Himself sang all the way through. Swami spoke again and said that Bhajans is the easiest way to Swami. Even if you don't meditate do bhajans and you will come closer to Swami. Swami spoke for a little while longer and ended the discourse.
After the discourse Swami blessed and presented a student. After one bhajan and aarathi Swami left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home) at 6:45 pm ending the events for the day.
(we have tried to summarize Swami discourse, forgive us if we have made any mistakes)
Vacancies at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
December 25th 7:30 pm - Speeches by devotees this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall 4 different devotees gave speeches. Each thanking Swami for giving them an opportunity to spend Christmas here in Puttaparthi. Each of the speakers talked about their experiences and some of the wonderful divine miracles Swami has performed.
After their speeches the speaker who introduced all the other speakers requested Swami for a discourse. To which all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall applauded loudly. Then after talking to Swami for a while the speaker announced that Swami has said
that many devotees have been sitting here for a long time so they are tired. So instead Swami will give discourse tomorrow evening.
Then the bhajans began after one bhajan aarathi began ending the events for the day at 6:30 pm.
December 24th 9:30 pm - Programs for Christmas Eve in Prasanthi Nilayam
Sai Kulwant Hall was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations.
Yesterday evening there was a music program by the overseas devotees. Many devotees from many part of the world joined the program and performed as one big group beautifully.
After the event Swami presented the conductor of the program with a gold chain.
Click here to see more pictures of the program on Chirstmas Eves
December 23rd 7:30 pm - Drama about Ramayana in Sai Kulwant Hall at Puttaparthi
It was different this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall.
Swami came and sat where the drama usually happens and the performers were coming from veranda and performing. Giving all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall a very nice view of the drama.
The students of Sri Sathya Sai Hihger Learning performed a nice drama. They enacted parts of Ramayana, which showed the devotion of devotees towards Lord Rama. They told the story about Sabari and many such devotees who showed their Love and devotion for Lord Rama.
They ended the drama saying that these people should not be forgotten, they should be remembered and every devotees should show perseverance and devotion like Sabari who waited forty years for Lord Rama to visit her home. Then they sang a beautiful song, which went like this "Rama Kodhanda Rama, Rama Patabi Rama" and ended the drama.
After the drama Swami stood and walked near to performers and took pictures with them for quite a while.
Then aarathi began, as Swami's was going to His car, Swami briefly turned and gave all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall a very nice darshan and left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home) at 6:30 pm
Click here to see more pictures of the program by Students
December 22nd 7:30 pm - Christmas decorations are up in Prasanthi Nilayam
There is a small Christmas tree near the Ganesh Temple in front of the main gate. Sai Kulwant Hall has also been decorated with ribbons and flowers etc more decorations will be added in the coming days as Christmas come closer.
This evening there was a speech by a devotee in Sai Kulwant Hall. He spoke about Swami's Miracles. The speech was given in Telugu. He talked about how Swami was seen by a small boy during a pooja in Mexico, in a devotee's home. And about a dream of devotee in Latvia who at the time didn't even know about Swami.
He also talked about how Swami is always happy when Grama Seva is being done. He said that devotees should never worry about Swami protecting them. He said that Swami would always protect His devotees. He ended the speech by praying to Swami.
After the discourse prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. And the bhajans continued and at 6:00 pm aarathi began ending the programs.
December 20th 8:00 pm - Cultural programs by Sai Youth from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
This evening Sathya Sai Baba came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 5:45 pm. There were preparations for a program by the Sai Youth from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Swami after arriving on the veranda gave permission to the devotees to go ahead with the program. And soon after that the programs began.
First was a dance drama and the theme of the drama was "Manava Seva, Madava Seva". "Service to Mankind is Service to God". The drama starts at a temple in Varanasi where devotees are doing pooja. After the pooja devotees are surprised to find a Gold plate in the temple with the engraving in it saying, "this plate is for the best devotee of Lord".
So the purohit (priest) of the temple says I am the best devotee of the lord, I do pooja to Lord every day, so I should get the gold plate. But once he takes the plate into his hands the plate turn into a clay plate. So he returns it back and says may be I am not the best devotee here. So let every one in this temple touch the plate and see who is the best devotee and when the plate stays gold even after their touch he will be the best devotee. Many devotees come and touch the plate and days pass by still they have not found the best devotee. But one of the devotee from the temple notices that there is a person in white dress helping all the beggars outside the temple. So they go and ask him what he was doing there and why he was not going into the temple to touch the plate and see if he was the best devotee. He tells them that he is there to help the poor he doesn't need the gold plate or know that he is the best devotee. He tells that God loves poor people and if we help poor people it will make God happy. What else does a devotee need? All the other devotees keep insisting that he should try and touch the plate so that at least they could know if he was the best devotee or not. After their numerous requests the devotee reluctantly touches the plate. And it stays gold even after his touch, all the devotee are stunned and ask him how he came to realize such a seva would make God happy. Then that devotee explains that he is the member of the Sai Youth Wing and these were the teaching of his Divine Lord Sathya Sai Baba. All the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall gave a huge applause for this. He says that Swami through his life has shown that Help Ever Hurt Never. And has built many hospitals, water projects and done many Grama seva's etc. Swami's Life is His message to His devotees. All the performers offer their pranams to Swami. They end the drama with a beautiful song and dance.
After the drama there was a music program of bhajans. A singer from that part of the region and a student of a well-known music artist sang some nice bhajans. After his bhajans Swami called the singer and presented him with a ring. The singer returned to his seat wiping tear of joy from his face.
Then bhajans began and prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. As this was happening Swami called one of the performers from the dance program and blessed him also with a ring.
The event ended with aarathi at 6:50 pm and after taking pictures with the performers Swami returned to Yajur Mandir (swami's home).
Click here to see more pictures of the program by Sai Youth from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
December 19th 9:00 pm - Burra Katha by students in Puttaparthi
Its been raining in Puttaparthi all day long. But Sai Kulwant Hall was full as usual.
What a performance by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Learning. It was a performance of traditional Story telling from this part of the region called Burra Katha. The language was Telugu, they told the story of Swami's mother Easwaramma.
This evening after the bhajans and aarathi, Swami gave permission to the students to perform Burra Katha. Three students dressed in traditional costumes and with musical instruments began the performance. Three other students garlanded them, which is a ritual during these performances. They first sang a wonderful song about Swami and then began their performance. They started the story by telling that Swami's Grandfather built a Shiva Temple and after the birth of Swami's mother she was appropriately named after Lord Shiva and was called Easwaramma. They sang songs telling how kind and wonderful Easwaramma was as a child. After her Marriage to Pedda Venkama Raju, few years passed and on one Divine day of Nov 23 1926, Swami was born. They explained her joy and happiness to see her son help devotees and her sadness as mother when her son had no time to eat food. All these were told in beautiful songs. Then they told about the demise of Easwaramma and how Divine a life she had giving birth to Swami. On that day Swami declared May 6th as Easwaramma Day.
They also talked about a wonderful lady called Karanam Subbamma, And she used to take care of Swami in His childhood/younger days.
They also told about how Swami's mother once asked Swami 4 wishes, which were to build a school, hospital and bring water to the region. The last wish was to never abandon Puttaparthi. As promised to his mother Swami has built the schools, hospitals and started big water project. Swami is still staying in Puttaparthi even after numerous requests from devotees to come and stay in their cities.
They ended their performance singing a song in which they asked Easwaramma to take birth again to see the Puttaparthi she loved so much. And how it has transformed by the miracles of his Son and our Divine Swami.
After the program Swami blessed them and devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall gave a huge applause for their wonderful performance.
Then after aarathi Swami left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home). It was 7:00 pm by the time the events ended.
December 17th 7:00 pm - Prasadam distribution and Speech this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall
This evening Swami came to Sai Kulwant at 5:15 pm and gave darshan in car to all the devotees who filled the Sai Kulwant Hall. Swami stayed on the veranda during the bhajans giving all the devotees a good darshan. As the bhajans were going on Swami blessed devotees and also blessed prasadam, which was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. The bhajans ended and there was a speech by a devotee.
The speech was very nice with some very nice messages.
He started the speech offering pranams to Swami. He said that devotees from all over the world have gathered in Sai Kulwant Hall. None of them received any invitation to come here, but still we all have come to Puttaparthi. Every year more and more devotees seem to join the Christmas celebrations here in Puttaparthi in Swami's presence. Why are they coming, they are coming because they can see the real spirit of Jesus Christ and Christmas here. He said many were wasting time in shopping malls during Christmas rather than praying to God.
He said that we should at least find some time in our day to pray to GOD. We should all strive to become close to Divine. He said some people say that we have monkey brains and can't dedicate our minds to God. Then he pointed out that how in Hill View Stadium, Hanuman is on top of the hill above, all the statues of Gods like Krishna, Shiridi etc. That shows how even though being in monkey's form Hanuman became Divine by praying to Lord Rama. Similarly we too should also strive become closer to God and spread the message of Love.
After the speech, students chanted Vedas for a while and at 6:30 pm aarathi began ending the events.
December 16th 8:00 pm - Prasadam was distributed this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall
Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall this evening at 5:15 pm giving darshan to all the devotees. Swami took letters from devotees while giving darshan from car. As the bhajans were going on students distributed prasadam to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall, prasadam was fruits. Bhajans ended with aarathi and Sathya Sai Baba left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home) at 6:45 pm ending the events for the day.
December 15th 7:45 pm - Sathya Sai Baba gives discourse this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall overseas devotees sang bhajans. And prasadam was distributed to all the devotees after bhajans. Then after aarathi Swami gave a discourse, which was a pleasant surprise to all the devotees. It was 7:00 pm by the time the events ended this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall.
December 14th 10:45 am - Rahul Dravid in Puttaparthi for Sathya Sai Baba's darshan
Yesterday Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid was in Sai Kulwant Hall for Sathya Sai Baba's darshan. He offered Swami flowers and had darshan of Swami.
December 11th 7:30 pm - Music Program this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall by Sri Kakulam Devotees
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall there was a music program by the devotees from Sri Kakulam District. They sang beautiful bhajans in Telugu. One particular bhajans that really got the devotees excited was
Hindu, Muslim Bhai Bhai, Kalasi Malasi Unta Hai, Annadu Sathya Sai
(Meaning in English)
Hindu, Muslim are brothers, it will be joy when they stay together, Says Sathya Sai
There were many wonderful songs in the program. After the program Swami blessed the signer with a golden ring. The songs continued and the singer asked Swami's permission for a music instrument program which Swami granted. And soon after that the devotees ran and brought their musical instruments and performed for Swami a wonderful musical instrument program.
Swami went inside mandir and came back after a while and presented clothes to the signers and blessed them. Then Swami also gave clothes to the ladies who were also performing with musical instruments. The events ended with aarathi, as Swami was going to the car, Swami asked the students to get prasadam, which Swami blessed and it was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall.
December 9th 7:30 pm - Cultural programs by the devotees from Sri Kakulam District
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall devotees from Sri Kakulam District performed some cultural programs. There was a drama in which two children acted, one of them was a businessman and the other a Sai devotee. Swami's devotee was explaining to the businessman about how even when we try to earn money we should always do it with Truthfulness and Righteousness. And he also showed how Swami did all these seva projects and helped so many poor. At the end of the drama being inspired by Swami's seva the businessman offer the Sai devotee a job at his company. And says that he will try to recruit many Sai devotee so that he can run his business with Truthfulness and Righteousness.
In between drama there were some dances by children, in one of the dances, Swami's mother Eswaramma talks and says, how Swami built hospital after just getting a suggestions from her about suffering of devotees due to lack of hospital. Swami is always so caring of his devotees. During the dance program Eswaramma explains how even she had to go through some difficulties. When one of the devotees asks her, how can Swami's mother also suffer from difficulties? She replies, that is the only way a devotee can come closer to Swami. Don't worry of these difficulties they are just passing clouds and they will bring Swami closer to you.
After their drama Swami called the boy who performed as Sai devotee and blessed him with an gold ornament. Then Swami came down in the mobile chair and took pictures with all the performers. Later Swami gave all the performers clothes.
There was a speech by one of the members of the Sri Kakulam District while Swami was giving away clothes. Who thanked Swami for allowing them to perform these programs. He said that devotees in that district have been celebrating Sathya Sai Baba's 82nd birthday on a huge scale. By going to 200 villages and singing Swami's bhajans for the last 82 days. He said that nearly 5000 devotees were in Puttaparthi for the JothirLinga Parthi Yatra 2007. He said that so far Swami has lit three lamps, which have brought Happiness and Joy to the region. He also mentioned how Swami has protected not only them, but also the whole of Andhra Pradesh state from Floods and Tsunami. He ended the speech, thanking Swami for giving them an opportunity to have Swami's darshan.
The events ended with bhajans after aarathi at 6:30 pm
Click here to see more pictures of the Cultural Programs by the devotees from Sri Kakulam District
December 9th 1:30 pm - Prasadam was distributed this morning in Sai Kulwant Hall
This morning during the bhajans prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. While the prasadam was being distributed Swami gave darshan by coming near to the devotees in the veranda. The bhajans finished around 9:50 am and after aarathi Swami left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home).
December 8th 9:30 pm - Big Rally as part of Parthi Yatra by the devotees from Sri Kakulam
The devotees from Sri Kakulam District were the ones who started the event of Parthi Yatra. And every year they come and put on a better show than pervious years. This year too there are hundread of devotees here in Puttaparthi. Many of them participated in the rally.
This evening as the bhajans were going on they began their rally outside mandir with fireworks they had many types of dances and devotees in costumes etc. All with bhajans on speakers. It was an event to watch. The rally seem to grow bigger and bigger each year and their enthusiam and devotions for Swami seems no bounds. Its just keep getting bigger and more colorful every year.
Not many can match their devotion and dedication to Swami.
They will be here in Puttaparthi for three more days.
Click here to see more pictures of the Rally
December 8th 9:30 pm - This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall
This evening Sai Kulwant Hall was really looking colorful. Many devotees from Sri Kakulam district are here for Parthi Yatra. They were wearing green and orange scarfs. There was also a group from hungry wearing orange scarfs. Then there were few devotees also wearing orange scarfs which had a beautiful quote on them don't know where they were from. The quote read like this "Yearning for Time, to understand the Avatar". All in all the Sai Kulwant Hall was full and colorful with all these devotees.
Sathya Sai Baba came to Sai Kulwant Hall this evening at 5:45 pm and gave all the devotee a very nice darshan, bhajans went on till 6:10 pm. After aarathi Swami stayed for a little while longer talking to few devotees and later left for Yajur Mandir (swami's home).
December 6th 6:15 pm - Swami came for a brief visit outside mandir
This evening the bhajans began early and during the bhajans Swami came for a brief visit outside mandir. Devotees who were still going for bhajans got nice darshan. Swami returned back to mandir as the bhajans were going on. After returning Swami went to Yajur Mandir (swami's home). The bhajans ended at 5:50 pm.
The weather in Puttaparthi today is cloudy, its been drizzling all day long. It's getting quite cold which many overseas devotees are enjoying.
December 5th 9:30 pm - Cultural programs by the devotees from Punjab
This evening in Sai Kulwant Hall there were cultural programs by devotees from Punjab, who are here on Parthi Yatra. The youth from Punjab performed some nice dances to beautiful songs.
After the event Swami took pictures with them and blessed each performer with clothes. It was 6:00 pm by the time the events ended.
Click here to see more pictures of Cultural Programs by devotees from Punjab
December 3rd 11:30 am - Wonderful Darshan this morning in Sai Kulwant Hall
Morning bhajans were going on all the devotees were eagerly waiting for Sathya Sai Baba's arrival. At 9:45 am during the bhajan and while the devotees were singing these lyrics "Aavo Aavo Prabhu Aavo Aavo, Swami Aake Hame Darshan Dikawho" English meaning "Come oh Lord Come, Swami come and gives us your Divine Darshan"
Swami enters Sai Kulwant Hall in mobile chair giving all a wonderful darshan. After the bhajans Swami stayed in mandir for quite a while, many devotees left Sai Kulwant Hall. Some of the devotees stayed on to see Swami leave Sai Kulwant Hall. So at 10:15 am Swami left mandir and again in mobile chair Swami went on to the ladies side and gave a very close darshan while receiving letters from devotees and talking with them. Then Swami went towards to the Yajur Mandiram (swami's home), we all thought that Swami was leaving Sai Kulwant Hall. But Swami returned and came to the men's side to roaring claps from the devotees. Only few devotees were there so all of us got very close darshan. Swami again talked with many devotees and took letters from many devotees and slowly moved giving Divine darshan. Swami left for Yajur Mandiram (swami's home) at 10:45 am giving all the devotees a very nice darshan for half an hour.
December 2nd 8:30 pm - Prasadam was distributed this morning in Sai Kulwant Hall
This morning during the bhajans Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. There are quite a few devotees here in Puttaparthi because of the Parthi Yatra by the devotees from Karnataka. This morning bhajans finished at 10 pm because of the prasadam distribution.
Evening Program
This evening there were cultural programs by the devotees from Karnataka. Swami came early to Sai Kulwant Hall around 4:00 pm. And the cultural programs began with a drama performance by the devotees from Karnataka. The Event ended with Aarathi at 5:30 pm.
Click here to see more pictures of Cultural Programs by devotees from Karnataka