October 30th 10:30 am - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit outside mandir this morning.

This morning at 8:45 am Swami came for a visit outside mandir and returned back to mandir soon after that at 9:00 am and the morning bhajans began.

Yesterday evening Swami came in mobile chair instead of car for the evening bhajans. And selected few devotees from all the devotees sitting for the evening bhajans and presented them with saris. There were quite a few disappointed devotees, but many happy ones too.

October 28th 6:30 pm - Sathya Sai Baba visits the Indoor Stadium Construction Site.

This evening Swami came for a visit outside mandir at 3:10 pm. Swami went to visit the construction work at the indoor stadium. Since the indoor stadium should be completed by the November 23rd the work is going on in full Swing. But everything stopped as soon as Swami's car approached the construction site and all the workers lined the construction site to get a good darshan. It has to be very special to receive darshan of Swami at the place you work, they are very lucky workers. You not only get to work on something special but also get good darshans of Sathya Sai Baba virtually everyday. During this visit Swami also stopped the car on the way and presented a lady from overseas with a sari.

Click here to see pictures of Sathya Sai Baba visit to the indoor stadium construction site

October 28th 6:00 pm - Aviation minister is here in Puttaparthi for Sathya Sai Baba's darshan.

The last few days many VIP have come to Puttaparthi for Sathya Sai Baba's darshan. Few days back it was Maharashtra Chief minister and later Mr. Ashok Singal. And today the Central minister of aviatation and airforce authorities Mr.Prapulla Kumar and his family are here in Puttaparthi for Sathya Sai Baba's darshan. Since Swami's birthday is only weeks away many more VIP's will be coming to Puttaparthi.

October 28th 11:30 am - Sathya Sai Baba's Magic for Harlem Ambassador.

"Forbes the Advance ambassador for Harlem Globetrotters who are scheduled to visit South India in November says he is stunned by Baba's Intuitive powers and the Significant little gifts that he gave while he called on him.

"He asked me how many children i had and i replied four," recalled Forbes of his first encounter with Baba. "Not five," queried baba and forbes asserted he had only four. Ruminating on the incident later, Forbes realised his wife had a miscarriage during her first delivery. There were more surprises in store for the Harlem icon. "He asked me if i was interested in rings. I thought it was the basketball ring. He just lifted his hand, folded the palm opened it , took a diamond ring out of thin air and said, 'give this to your wife.' She had in fact lost her ring two weeks back and i was really surprised," said Forbes who performed his basketball tricks for Baba in return. "

Harlem Globe will play in Puttaparthi on November 23rd at the newly inaugurated International centre for Sports as part of the inauguration ceremony. This article was published in The New Indian Express and was provided to us by Mr. Jaya Kumar

October 27th 11:30 am - Devotees came signing bhajans into mandir.

Yesterday afternoon at around 1:30 pm few devotees came signing bhajans and carrying a Small temple with Swami's photo in it. All of them were women which is quite a rare site. The went past us very fast into mandir so couldn't catch the name of the place they were from on the banner they were carrying. It was a pleasant surprise.

October 27th 10:30 am - People from all walks of life find inspiration in Sathya Sai Baba's words.

Utreja, 60, whose wife, Dr. Monita Soni, is a pathologist at Parkway Medical Center, attended self-realization fellowships at temples throughout the Los Angeles area. Because of his brothers great faith in Sri Sathya Sai Baba, he returned to his native country, traveling to Puttaparthi, India, about 1,200 miles south of New Delhi, the birthplace of Sai Baba. It was there, Utreja said, that he encountered a state of bliss as I have never experienced before.

Baba, whose teachings are based on truth, righteousness, peace, universal love and non violence, is the most colorful and multifaceted prophet modern India has produced. Followers believe him to be and Utreja concurs the incarnation of Shiva Shatki, who proclaims life and death principles, and the potency of God.

Utreja said that as Baba, 79, walked the aisles of Prashanti Nilayam, which means the abode of peace, he looked at him in total awe, mesmerized by his presence. He produces an ash called vibhuti, which means glory of God, in his bare hands.

The first time I saw him do it was from a distance, Utreja said. The second time, nearer to me on another side of the aisle, a man asked for vibhuti, and I saw it clearly. He rubs his hands together, then pours out the ash from his right hand.

Utreja said he was among about 5,000 people in the audience, composed of people of all faiths, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. Over a million people gather there each year on Baba's birthday Nov. 23.

Read the Rest of the Story Here.

"I am an artist and I always wanted to be a different kind of an artist. Sathya Sai Baba says there is a God in every human being. He has realised it while we have yet to do so. His words had an impact on me. I think this art of using letters to depict the image of Ganesh is my way of trying to find God. I am also helping others to find God," he says.

Click here to read the news report.

October 25th 11:30 am - Newsletter is being stopped until we can fix the problem.

We are sorry for all the inconvenience we have caused for the last few days due to virus infecting our system. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to puttaparthi-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com We are stopping the newsletter, until we can figure out a way to do it safely. Thank you for your patience with us. Keep checking our website for the latest news and information from Puttaparthi. Hopefully we can fix the problem and start the newsletter again. Thank you for for all those who have written to us..

October 25th 11:30 am - Sai Shanti inaugurated .

Asked why they chose the name `Sai Shanti' for the new hall, actor Prabhu said, "It all happened due to God's grace. My father had an illness and after recovering he was unsure about whether to act in films or not. He went to meet Satya Sai Baba. Their meeting lasted nearly an hour. Our father came out and said he would continue acting. He then signed up for `Once More' featuring Vijay.

Click here to read the news report.

October 25th 11:30 am - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this morning.

This morning at Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit outside mandir and returned back to mandir at 9:05 am and soon after that the bhajans began.

October 24th 11:30 am - Gujarati New Year was celebrated in Puttaparthi.

Yesterday was Gujarati New Year in Puttaparthi. There were quite a few devotees from Gujarath here to celebrate their new year in the presence of our divine Swami. There was a drama program in the evening by the devotees from Gujarath it was a very colorful drama and after the event Sathya Sai Baba took pictures with them. Prasadam was also distributed after the event. The event finished around 6:15 pm.



Click here to see pictures of Gujrathi New Year Celebrations in Puttaparthi

October 22nd 11:30 am - Diwali finishes in Puttaparthi.

There were no celebrations for Diwali in mandir so it was a bit dull, there were people bursting fire crackers outside mandir. But without the fireworks inside mandir its not the same. The next event is nearly a month away, its Akanda Bhajana.

This morning Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit outside mandir as soon as the bhajans finished. Look at the Web Cam for a picture of Swami's car as it was returning to mandir.

October 19th 12:30 pm - Sathya Sai Baba meeting up with Harlem Ambassador

Sri Satya Sai Baba grants audience with Harlem Globetrotter Ambassador Sterling Forbes on his visit to Puttaparthi prior to the forthcoming Nov 13-23, 2006 India Tour in which the Harlem Globetrotters will perform as part of the inaugural celebrations of the Sree Satya Sai International Centre for Sports, coming up at Puttaparthi. This game will be played as an offering to Sree Satya Sai Baba on November 23, 2006, which also coincides with his birthday.

October 19th 12:30 pm - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this morning.

This morning Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit outside mandir and returned back to mandir at 8:45 am. As you can see there were quite a few devotees outside mandir waiting for Swami so that they could have a good darshan. As soon as Swami passed by they tried get back inside mandir for the bhajans.

Since the Indoor stadium in nearing completion the opening ceremony preparations are in full swing. The basketball player from Harlem Globe Trotters is here in Puttaparthi. There will be playing one of the opening matches in the indoor stadium when it will be inaugurated.

October 17th 12:00 pm - Sai Ratham in Puttaparthi by devotees from Karnataka Nagepalli.

Yesterday evening there was a procession by the devotees from Karnataka Nagepalli which is a village near Puttaparthi. They brought the Sai Ratham, which was decorated with Flowers and had a very big photo of Sathya Sai Baba. Devotees were accompanining the procession singing bhajans. There was also a group of children doing dances. Before the procession started there was a pooja in the village. May be this is the way of showing their gratitude to their Divine Lord Sathya Sai Baba for the Grama Seva that was done recently in their village.

Click here to see pictures of Sai Ratham in Puttaparthi

October 14th 11:30 am - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this morning at 10:25 am.

This morning Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit outside mandir at 10:25 am. Since the bhajans just finished there were quite a few devotees waiting outside mandir for Swami's darshan. Swami returned back to mandir after a 10 minute visit.



Click here to see the video of Sathya Sai Baba's visit

October 12th 7:00 pm - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this morning at 8:25 am.

This morning as Swami came to the Sai Kulwant Hall the chanting of vedas began. Swami went for a visit outside mandir as the vedas were being chanted at 8:25 am. Swami returned back to mandir soon after that at 8:40 am after a brief visit for 10 minutes, and then the bhajans began.

The Avatar Declarations Day will be celebrated on October 20th in Puttaparthi so its only few days more without any events in Puttaparthi. Not a bad time to have peaceful darshan of Swami in between.

October 10th 7:00 pm - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this afternoon at 3:05 pm.

Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this afternoon outside mandir at 3:05 pm. Since the gates were closed a little late many devotees were able to come outside mandir to get good darshan. The construction of the indoor stadium is only weeks away from completions.

This evening the bhajans started at 4:30 pm and finished early at 5:15 pm. Swami called some devotees for interview and after the interview swami left for Yajur Mandiram (swami's home) by 5:15 pm.

Click here to see the video of Sathya Sai Baba visit outside mandir on October 10

October 10th 1:00 pm - Sri Sri Ravishankar unveiled the statue of Satya Sai Baba.

Sri Sri Ravishankar visited the Sai Mandir at Srirangapatna in Karnataka District and unveiled the statue of Satya Sai Baba. If any devotees from Sai Mandir in Srirangapatnam are reading this please send us some pictures of the event to this email puttaparthilive.com@gmail.com

Click here to read the news report.

October 8th 11:00 am - Devotees from Sathya Sai Baba samithi from Karnataka were here.

Devotees of Sathya Sai Baba from Karnataka were here in Puttaparthi for the last two days, they arrived in nearly 15 buses. The stayed for two days and left yesterday evening. Since there are no events in Puttaparthi now, they had a very good darshan of Sathya Sai Baba.

October 6th 6:30 pm - Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this afternoon.

Sathya Sai Baba came for a visit this afternoon outside mandir at 3:40 pm. There were quite a few devotees waiting for Swami so that they could have a good darshan and as you can see in the video they had a nice darshan. Is Swami looking at the camera...

About the stadium here is more information we now know, it is a 120 days project and it only has around 30 days to complete the whole project. And the cost of the construction comes up to 11 Crore rupees when complete. And the inaugural match of tennis will be played by the well know indian tennis players Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi. The is the information we got from local newspaper.

October 4th 12:00 pm - Cultural program yesterday evening in Puttaparthi.

Yesterday evening there was a dance performance by the students of Swami's college. It was a nice program. After the event Swami came and took pictures with them. There were no bhajans just the dance program.

October 3rd 12:00 pm - Dasara Celebrations end in Puttaparthi.

Yesterday evening there were not many program just a speech by the vice chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai College in whitefield. He spoke about his experiences with Swami and how Swami once helped him in teaching the class with a help of a professors. He spoke for nearly an hour and after that the bhajans began ending the event. And the Dasara celebrations in Puttaparthi.


Click here to see the photos of Dasara Celebrations in Puttaparthi

October 3rd 12:00 pm - Another report of the grama seva by the UK Youth in Puttaparthi.

Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2006 - 1st October 2006

Morning Darshan

Swami arrived at 8.45am. Today was the day the Maharashtra Sevadals were leaving Prashanti. Swami’s car stopped to take a bundle of letters from them and blessed them by rolling down His window and giving them His Abhayhasta (blessing with raised hands).

Swami made his way to the Veranda and walked to the portico chair. Swami stopped the Vedams and asked just the Primary school children to continue reciting by themselves. Thereafter, Swami stood up and walked into the interview room. At which point, the Vedam and Grama Seva boys left for Gram Seva

Today, Gram Seva was conducted at Kodapaganipalli village, where the boys received an enthusiastic welcome. The villagers had decorated the streets with colourful rangolis (ground patterns) and welcome messages. Gram Seva began as usual by chanting Vedam and Bhajans around the village. The local children and energetic musicians also accompanied the boys.

The feeling amongst the UK Gram Seva boys was tinged with sadness, as it was their last day for Gram Seva. However, the boys were full of gratitude to Swami for allowing them to participate in this unique service activity. A particularly touching incident was when one elderly lady, who upon receiving the saree prashadam, was overcome with memories of when her eyesight was restored at Swami’s Super Speciality Hospital.

Afternoon Darshan

Swami emerged from His residence at 3.40pm and gave darshan to the large crowds that had gathered on this auspicious ninth day of Navratri.

Swami called Brother Sanjay Mahalingam and asked him to address the gathering and to specifically talk about Rama Tatva (Essence of Rama). He started his talk by speaking about Vairagya (detachment) and Devotion, making some poignant observations by using various anecdotes from Swami’s Chinna Katha. He then moved on to the subject of the impermanence of the material world and the importance of seeking that which is real. He finally spoke about surrender, before requesting Swami’s permission to conclude his talk. Swami then asked him to continue and he resumed by reciting shlokas from the second chapter of the Bhagwat Gita discussing the qualities of an enlightened man.

Swami then called Dr Ravi Kumar to the dias, who spoke about the importance of developing faith before divinity can be experienced. He gave a personal account of how Swami cancelled his father’s cancer due to his strong faith in God. He developed the theme of having unshakable faith in God who will then take care of his welfare (and farewell!).

Swami then blessed the audience with His divine discourse. He began with a Telegu poem describing the sweetness in the name of Rama. Swami then spoke extensively on the Rama Katha. He concluded with how the values extolled in the Rama Katha have diminished today. He gave examples of men and women interacting in public, which marked the arrival of the Kaliyug. Finally, he reiterated the eternal truth that Happiness is Union with God. Swami ended the discourse with a melodious Rama bhajan in Telegu.

Thereafter, Swami signalled the student to sing bhajans. After the first bhajan, Swami stood up and took Aarti before returning to Hi residence at 6.40pm

Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2006 - 30th September 2006

Morning Darshan

Today is Durga Ashtami (the 8th day of the Navaratri function). Today throughout India people do Aayudha Puja (Worshiping of Vehicles and instruments). Swami also carries out this ceremony every year.

Swami arrived for darshan at 8:20am, Vedams were chanted for the arrival of the Veda Purusha Himself! Swami did the full round of darshan and blessed everyone on this auspicious day. Swami’s car stopped at the edge of the veranda, at which point Baba walked to the portico. Swami then headed towards East Prashanti where all of Swami’s vehicles had been parked, including the Golden Chariot.

Our dear Sai first approached the convertible red mini and blessed the vehicle with His divine touch. Puja was performed to the toy-looking car by breaking the coconut in front of it. Swami then proceeded to all the other cars. One of the UK Grama Seva brothers was fortunate to witness the proceeding at very close proximity as he’d been given the unique privilege of taking photographs.

Swami then returned to the veranda where He blessed the Grama Seva Prashadam and gave instructions for Raam Seva to begin.

All the Vedam and Grama Seva boys followed the normal routine of circling the Mandir, whilst Swami sat in his chair and looked at every boy as he went pass.

As Dr. Gokak mentioned in his talk yesterday, the two villages Swami visited are His eyes. With this thought the UK Grama Seva Group visited a village called Cherolapalli. This village is about 12 km from Puttarparthi. This village is regarded as one of the poorest in the area.

The trip to this village was a real eye-opener. The villagers lived in small confined spaces with very bare essentials. They livelihood was based upon subsistence farming and breeding live stock. One particular lady villager stated that ‘We are happy with Swami’s prashadam alone, there was no need for the clothing. It became evident very quickly that Swami’s love was enough to sustain them through their difficult times.

It was heart breaking to witness villagers living in such conditions. One brother asked a villager ’Where are the shops in your village?’, and he immediately replied’Sir, where is the money to buy anything here?’

Even the toughest man would shed a tear, seeing such plight of these poor villagers. Swami is there only hope.

Afternoon Darshan

Swami came out for darshan at 3.30pm this afternoon and immediately left through the Raam Darbar gates. Swami returned at 4.10pm, giving darshan on the ladies side and then proceeding to the veranda. To the delight of all present in the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami walked across the veranda towards the East Prashanti side and spoke to a few devotees. Swami called a few lady devotees, one of which had a new born baby who was extremely fortunate to be blessed by the Lord of Lords. Swami also showered His blessings on the baby by materialising a gold chain and allowing the baby to be placed at is divine Lotus feet. Swami then sat on the portico listening to Vedam, whilst he blessed each birthday student in turn.

Swami then slowly made His way to the interview room until 5pm and thereafter attended bhajans in the Mandir. Swami took aarti and retired to his supreme abode at 5.30pm.

Sai Kingdom (UK) Grama Seva Group 2006 - 29th September 2006

Morning Darshan

Everyday is a festival day in Prashanti Nilayam (The Supreme Abode of Peace), and today was no exception. The usual Ashram routines of Suprabhatam and Nagar Sankritan continued as it has been for decades; however the Dasera festivities added to the holiness of the place. Our Dear Lord Sai blessed the eagerly awaiting devotees by giving His Divine Darshan at 8:15am. Swami’s face was radiating with extreme brilliance as He gave Darshan to all. Swami’s joyous mood was pleasing to all (especially) those who managed to give a letter or speak to Him. Swami fulfilled the wishes of all by sitting on the portico immediately after darshan. Swami remained on the Chair for 15 minutes and stood up to walk back to the interview room, this action of Swami pleased all (loud claps!)

The UK Grama Seva group were given instructions to visit a village called Pedaballi Tada (colony), which is located 25km from Puttarparthi. While all the students had gone to do Grama Seva, Swami came out and allowed the little children to push his chair in the Sai Kulwant hall!!

Swami’s message of Love can be seen to be reaching out to the world, as the villagers were waiting with broad smiles for the arrival of the Grama Seva groups. The one unique quality of all India villagers is their hospitality and love towards all visitors. They regard visitors as GOD! At this village the residents offered the group beds to sit on whilst the boys were awaiting for more food stock. It is only Swami’s Love that can bring the humanity together.

Afternoon Darshan

This afternoon two speakers were blessed to address the gathering in Sai Kulwant Hall by the Divine command.

Sri Chakhravathi introduced the speakers, the first of whom was Sri Anil Gokak, the Vice Chancellor for the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. Sri Gokak spoke about the deeper significance of Navaratri. Swami arrived during the talk and we were witness to a completely unusual situation of the speaker continuing with his talk, whilst our beloved Swami continued to give Darshan and pausing to take letters from a few ladies. Showing the most utmost consideration as always, Swami descended from the car and remained seated on the edge of the veranda, whilst both speakers completed their talk.

The second speaker for the afternoon was Dr G Venkatraman, former vice chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He delivered an intellectually stimulating talk revolving around the importance of value based education. He highlighted the differences between Outer Text (knowledge & skill) and & Inner Text (balance & insight). Dr Ventakraman quoted the first line of the Purusa Suktam, which describes the Lord as having numerous heads, hands and feet. He then related this line to the Gram Seva activities by giving the example of two villages which were honoured by a visit from our beloved Swami in 1985. During his visit Swami gave joy to the villagers by proclaiming both these villages were His eyes, demonstrating as always that His each action can be related to the Vedas. Before closing, Dr Venkatrman requested Swami to address the August assembly.

Swami built upon the theme of the previous days discourse and focused on the importance of Education & Educare. Swami highlighted that in order for the intellect (buddhi) to illuminate the mind, bad thoughts (analogous to clouds) need to be swept away through self enquiry. Swami gave the example of how Swami Vivekananda overcame this struggle by constantly asking ‘Who am I’.

Swami surprisingly concluded his discourse at 5.40pm with two bhajans’Govind Krishna Jai’ and ‘Vahe Guru’.

After Swami finished, he asked the students ‘What do you want?’ The students responded in unison ‘You Swami 'we want you’. Swami responded by saying emphatically that ‘I am always ready, take me' If you can’t take me, the mistake lies with you!’ Swami unexpectedly materialised a chain for one of the students.

Swami instructed the students to continue the devotional singing, which lasted for further 20 minutes. Swami yet again came back to the portico and sat there for few minutes before taking the aarti. What a wonderful way to end the day.

October 2nd 11:15 am - Dasara Celebrations in Puttaparthi.

This morning events started with the yagnam in the Poorna Chandra Auditorium. Then the events continued with Swami blessings the items to be put into the yagnam, and after the yagnam completed the holy water was sprinkled on the devotees who were present there. And prasadam was also distributed. It really was very busy inside mandir and even Poorna Chandar Hall was full both inside and outside with devotees. Sai Gheeta came for the event. There was lot of confusion, main gate was closed because Swami was coming to lay the stone for the new Lord Shiva Temple which will be built between the Lord Ganesh and Lord Subramanyan Temples or that was what they were saying. So many devotees waited there but Swami didn't come. So don't know when that event will happen. We will keep you posted.

October 1st 7:00 pm - Sathya Sai Baba gives discourse in the evening program in puttaparthi.

This evening too two devotees gave speeches and one of them described a miracle that happened to a cancer patient and how he was cured by Swami in Whitefield. This patient had cancer and had nearly 25 operations done to remove the cancer that was growing. He kept coming to Swami and once when he was in Whitefield Swami cured him of his cancer. Then Sathya Sai Baba gave discourse, Swami talked about Lord Rama, and ended the discourse with the bhajan "Rama Rama Rama Sita". And the events ended, there were no regular bhajan this evening. There was an announcement that tomorrows programs will be in the morning at 9:30 am at Poorna Chandra Auditorium.