ODISHA & VIZAG PARTHI YATRA SEPT 2013

Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,

For the past week or so, Puttaparthi has been buzzing with various activities thanks to two big groups from Odhisa and Visakhapatnam who came here on a 3 day pilgrimage. 

Apart from cultural programmes in Sai Kulwanth hall, the Odhisha group did a  " first of its kind" programme where a large number of women participated in a special Rudra Yagna in a temporarily built tent near the far west end of the ashram.

Sisters from Odhisha take part in the Yagna

The beautiful Shiva in the center stage..

Sri.Rathnakar offering prayers to Shiva

Prof.Anil Kumar also visited the Yagna Shala

Brother Veda Narayana addressing the gathering..

The Vedas prior to Swami's advent were considered to be Brahmin centric and there were times when non-Brahmins didn't consider of learning or chanting, as it was assumed to be unpardonable sin. In India, women were discriminated and were stopped from chanting even Gayatri Mantra. Our Lord came and completely revived the concept of Vedic knowledge and the whole world has witnessed how eveb non-Indian devotees with no clue of Sanskrit knowledge come and chant vedas so fluently.

The Odhisha Sai Organisation under the leadership of Sri.Jagannatha Rao have really created a bench mark by arranging such an yagna by the ladies. Un like few visiting groups that always make meetings in Prashanthi  a private affair, every one were allowed to witness this yagna which gave a scope for spreading and appreciating this novel idea by the Odhisha devotees.

Sri.Jagannatha Rao said, the state has plans to encourage and achieve 1 crore likhita japam (writing the divine name) by 2015 and offer the same at the Lotus feet of Baba. They are also coming with a programme of lighting Akhanda Jyothi in each and every house hold. A lamp will be taken to one house and it remains for the whole day where in Bhajans and prayers are offered and then taken to the next house. In this manner they have plans to light the " Sathya Sai Jyothy" in every home, in every heart.. Lets pray to Baba to make this programme a grand success and may the darkness of ignorance be dispelled.

As soon as the Odhisha Parthi Yatra devotees left, about 1200 devotees from Vizag landed in Parthi. Every devotee had this special charm on the face and i guess it is the power of the "Puttaparthi Soil" which makes any one and every one smile and content.

The beautiful beach front city, Vizag has been playing a key role in spreading the message of Sai especially in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The devotees visiting from Vizag have been increasing every year and this year about 40% of the devotees that came were first timers who hadn't seen or visited Parthi before. Most of them were Youth which is a very positive sign for the future of the Organisation.

Prof.Anil Kumar addressed both the groups and while speaking with devotees from Vizag,he said, in spite of all the mudslinging and misleading media reports, the devotees are doubled day by day. He continued to say, "Every time some one writes or shows false news, atleast 50,000 new devotees come into Sai Fold. May be this is also Swami's divine plan"

A fully packed satsang with Prof.Anil Kumar when he addressed to the Vizag Parthi yatra group..

STRIKE IN PUTTAPARTHI DUE TO FORMATION OF TELANGANA STATE:

The " Cheap attitude" of politicians have been affected the common man especially in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Exactly a month ago, the government in the center decided to divide the state of Andhra Pradesh in to two, Upper and lower ( to be precise) . Puttaparthi is in the lower part. The people of the lower part have severely condemned the bifurcation, sensing various other problems like sharing of water, jobs etc. In the initial 15 days or so, Puttaparthi was boiling with agitations by various political  parties who  took turns every day all for the common cause, to keep the state united.. The whole town was completely shut down but the ashram and Swami's schools were functioning as usual and there was no problem what so ever and no harm done to any one or any thing.

The devotees in and around Puttaparthi were recollecting how Swami said NO to the bifurcation of the state during His visit to Chennai in the year 2007. Swami, always wanted us to be united. Many devotees are unhappy with some " ardent devotee politicians" of Swami who are now going " with the flow" without raising any concerns of division.

Every one of us have this " uncertain" moment in our lives where we are in a fix to follow Swami's teachings or go with the majority. Once we offer such situations at the Lotus feet, Swami will take us out of such situations very safely. Hope these " ardent devotees" will also pray to Swami to let them come out of this situation in accordance to His teachings.

Many devotees have been asking if it is safe to travel to Puttaparthi especially when you are coming from Bangalore airport. To start with it is absolutely safe as there is no one who is attacking the passengers or public. There is no harm done to the public or private property. In the initial 15 days when the strike was worse, devotees who were coming to Parthi were made to wait for 2 or 3 hours. There were cases when the protesters were making way to  devotees visiting Parthi or heading to the airport for the love and respect they have for Swami.

Unfortunately all the schools (exclusing that of Swami's) and State government buses and even Karnataka buses to Bangalore are still not functioning. Thus many devotees are either taking a train or flight to reach Parthi. Please don't believe any rumors of physical attacks ( on the road or in Parthi) as they are just some one's mere imagination or a handy work of people who want to mislead people.

PROF.ANIL KUMAR VISITING SOUTH AFRICA:

For those living in South Africa and those who follow Prof.Anil Kumar's talks, please note that Prof.Anil Kumar will be taking up his maiden trip to South Africa and Botswana from September 5th September 26th. During these three weeks he would be addressing atleast at 15 venues. The devotees in South Africa and Botswana are having plans to do LIVE STREAMING for most of his talks. 
For all the updates please visit www.voiceofsai.com and to follow the tour on FACEBOOK visit www.facebook.com/saimemories

With Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,

R.Satish Naik

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