Akhanda Bhajan 2011 culminates with devotional fervour…

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

A glittering Sai Kulwant Hall embraced Beloved Bhagawan's 'endearing presence' with a couple of bhajans in His mellifluous voice echoing the holy precints marking the 24 hour non-stop bhajan sadhana, Akhanda Bhajan, this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. The two bhajans in Bhagawan's voice were "Hari Bhajan Binaa Sukha Shanthi Nahi…" and "Prema Muditha Manase Kaho Rama Rama Ram…" that summed up the purport of bhajan singing, that should be done with a mind and heart immersed in love for God.

Akhanda Bhajan 2011 culminates with devotional fervour…

Earlier stundets who spearheaded the entire exercise with devotion and discipline ended their stint ten minutes to the scheduled hour, at 1750, with the customary final bhajan that had been in practice during earlier years in Prasanthi, "Subramaniam Subramaniam…".

It was time for Prasadam. Swarms of students spread themselves across the spacious Sai Kulwant, ably assisted by Sevadal volunteers, distributing blessed Prasadam, Tamarind Rice and Sweet Pudding, to the assemblage. Following Bhagawan's injuction to chant the Food Prayer, students soon burst in to "Brahmarpanam…" joined by the entire audience.

The entire exericise aimed at promoting world peace and harmony was a thrilling experience reliving the golden past with Beloved Bhagawan, where He would bless the occasion with His towering physical presence, guiding each and every step, blessing Prasanthi and the entire world with His all conquering love.

The 24 hour Bhajans was started in Bangalore in the year 1945 by the eight families that first came to Puttaparthi as a culmination of the year long Thursday Bhajans that they had commenced an year earlier during the time of World War II. When they wrote to Bhagawan seeking permission for the same, Bhagwan blessed the idea, named it Akhanda Bhajan and promised them that He will attend it as well. This grand Spiritual Exercise has been going on uninterrupted ever since.

Bhagawans 86th Birthday Celebrations Programme Schedule

Saturday, November 12, 2011: Global Akhanda Bhajan 2011 commenced this evening at 1800 hrs. here in Prasanthi Nilayam. When the theme bhajan for this twenty-four hour spiritual exercise, "Akhanda Jyothi Jalaao …Sai Mana Mandir Mein" echoed in Prasanthi, thousands assembled in the resplendent Sai Kulwant Hall joined in chorus sinking in nostalgic memoirs of the golden past when Bhagawan would officiate the Akhanda Bhajan. Bhajans continued with boys and girls from Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur Campus sang in alternate turns..

Earlier the bhajans commenced with invocatory Ganesha bhajan, sung with aalap, "Suklambharadaram Vishnum…". An announcement on the Darshan schedules for tonight and tomorrow and about Prasadam at the end of the bhajans was announced before the commencement of the bhajans. Various groups of devotees would sing in turns during the entire night before students once again take over in the morning.