DARSHAN UPDATE - VIAJE DE SAI BABA A DELHI, INDIA

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Darshan Update

Archival - March 2010 Last updated 1350 hrs IST, Apr 13 Tue, April 13, 2010: Today is Baisakhi! For people in North India, especially the Sikhs, Baisakhi is a mega event; it is a religious festival, harvest festival and New Year's Day, all rolled into one. And when Bhagawan Himself is in their midst in physical, in North India, the occasion becomes a real celebrations for the folks devoted to Bhagawan. As Bhagawan’s Delhi sojourn turns to Day 5, on Tuesday morning, Bhagawan was ushered in at 11:40 to come onstage presiding over the bhajans at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre. Being the Baisakhi day, prasadam was distributed along with Vibhuti , a practice followed in Delhi, and the “Prasadam” was sanctified and blessed by Bhagawan. Clothes were also distributed to the public marking auspiciousness of the occasion. Blessing the assemblage of devotees, Bhagawan moved down the ramp proceeding further through the aisle; after finishing half-way into the aisle, Bhagawan returned to the dais. He knows the deserved one, He knows the right timing and He knows how to act…. As bhajans went on, Bhagawan, while onstage, spotted a mentally challenged child and asked the sevadal to go and give vibhuti prasadam to the child. Completely conquered by the Power of Divine Love exhibited by Bhagawan, the child’s mother was in tears as her joy knew no bounds. None would know what prayer the child or the mother would have sent forth to the Divine making them eligible for His Divine intervention that was so soothing and comforting, not alone to the suffering soul, but to the audience who were fortunate to witness the Divine benevolence. Bhajans continued till 12:30 when Arathi was offered. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan proceeded to Rajeev Mahajan’s (a senior devotee from Delhi) residence for lunch. He was later accompanied by His entourage of students. Prominent personalities visited Bhagawan on this day at the Centre included Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mr. Praful Patel,  Governor of Punjab and Administrator for Union Territory of Chandigarh, Mr. Shivraj Patil, Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) MM Punchhi, Formerly  Chief Justice of India, Hon'ble Minister for FDC, Information Public Relations and Trourism, Andhra Pradesh,  Dr. (Mrs.) J.Geeta Reddy and popular playback singer from Bollywood, Suresh Wadkar etc. In the evening Bhagawan is expected to grant Divine Darshan at the Dwarka grounds. Mon, April 12, 2010: This morning, on the 4th morning of His Divine sojourn to Delhi, Bhagawan arrived at 10:25 while bhajan was on and sat through till 10:55 when Arathi was offered. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan and His entourage left for Bahá'í Temple, popularly known as Lotus Temple, owing to its stunning Lotus features. Bhagawan is expected to grant Divine Darshan at this monumental temple, which is a tourist attraction in Delhi. The temple is situated 12km southeast of Connaught Place, New Delhi. In the evening, Bhagawan is expected to give Darshan at DC-10 DDA Grounds (Near Dwarka Sector-10 Metro Station), Dwarka. Reports from Delhi indicates that Bhagawan reached the Bahá'í Temple at around 11:30. Unique feature of this Bahá'í Temple is that like any other Bahá'í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all barring any religious or other distinction, as emphasized in Bahá'í texts. Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. It is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions.The Bahá'í laws also stipulate that the holy scriptures of the Bahá'í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language. Following these traditions, teachings from holy Bible, Holy Quran and Holy Gita were read out in the Divine Presence that was followed by a ten minute worship of Bhagawan by people from Bahá'í faith. The function was attended by a capacity group of around 300 people and lasted almost for an hour. From the Bahá'í Temple Bhagawan and His entourage moved to Justice PN Bhagwathi's residence. Hon. Justice P. N. Bhagwathi is an eminent jurist of International repute and was formerly the Chief Justice of India. Justice Bhagwathi has been a long time devotee of Bhagawan and is a member, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam. Blessing the veteran and his family members, after having lunch at the jurist's house, Bhagawan retired to the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at around 2:30. Bhagawan is expected to grant Divine Darshan at the International Centre in the evening before proceeding to the Dwarka grounds for the scheduled Darshan session. Earlier in the morning, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister for Power in the Central Cabinet was at the International Centre seeking Divine Darshan. Mr. Shinde has been a longtime devotee of Bhagawan and had visited Prasanthi Nilayam several times. In the evening, the scheduled darshan at Dwarka ground was cancelled and at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, Bhagawan emerged at around 6:20 while bhajan was on. Upon emerging, at Bhagawan's instance, the music troupe of boys that escorted Bhagawan took over the singing, producing scintillating aalaap bhajans. The session extended till 7:15 when Arathi was offered. In a touching gesture suffused with Divine Love, Bhagawan, upon accepting Arathi, travelled to Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi, to the residence of former Prime Minister of India, Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee. The former Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Bhagawan at the International Centre couple of days before, seeking His blessings, but could not make it owing to ill health. Eleven years ago, when Bhagawan visited the captial city last time, Mr. Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and the SSSIC was inaugurated by the Divine hands in his presence. Vajpayee has been a longtime devotee of Bhagawan and had visited Prasanthi Nilayam several times. After blessing the veteran leader, Bhagawan returned to the International Centre at around 8:30. Back in Parthi, it drizzled yet again! Giving respite from the scorching summer, rain god drizzled cooling showers on Monday late evening in Puttaparthi. Fifth day in succession without her "Soul", though Parthi wears a "missing aura", the spiritual township does not appear to be barren as it used to be during olden days when Bhagawan would move to Brindavan for longer stay, for 2-3 months. In Parthi, it is expectation and anticipation of the good news, the news of His return. Sun, Apr11, 2010: On this 'Summer' Sunday morning, on the 3rd day of His Delhi sojourn, Bhagawan was ushered in at 10:50 while bhajan was on. Upon coming onstage, Bhagawan sat for sometime blessing the concourse with His Darshan, before moving down the ramp proceeding to the aisle blessing the devotees with closer darshan. Moving half way through the aisle Bhagawan returned onstage to sit through till 11:25 when Arathi was offered. Later during the day, in the evening, Bhagawan is expected to grant Divine Darshan at Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at around 5 before proceeding to a private function to be held at Mavalankar Auditorium, behind Parliament House of India, twenty minute drive from Sri Sathya Sai International Centre. Former Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University and eminent scientist, Padmasree Prof. G.Venkataraman, Bharti Group Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal etc. are scheduled to address the selected audience. This would be followed by a cultural presentation, drama, by alumni of Sri Sathya Sai University, Prasanthi Nilayam. Information received from Delhi indicates that, in the evening, Bhagawan came out at 4:20 to come onstage while Vedam was on. Even as Vedam gave way to bhajans, Bhagawan continued to preside over the session till 4:40. Upon accepting Arathi, at 4:45, Bhagawan left for Mavalankar Audiotorium, the venue for the evening function. Bhagawan and His entourage reached at the Mavlankar Auditorium at about 5. There were three speakers for the session. Sunil Bharti Mittal, a leading industrialist and the head honcho of Bharti Group that owns India's largest cellular company, Airtel, who addressed the august audience first, spoke about Bhagawan and the greater good fortune of being a part of His Mission. He mentioned about His marriage into a family devoted to Bhagawan for decades and His first darshan of Bhagawan in the seventies. What attracted him most about Bhagawan was Bhagawan's secular approach where religion does not play any role. He mentioned about the presence of two prominent muslims in Prasanthi during the twin visits he had made to His Divine Abode in Andhra Pradesh. While it was Dr. Farooq Abdullah, a devout muslim and former Chief Minister of J & K, was the first one, second one was the then Minister of Education of UAE, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Prof. G Venkataraman who spoke next dwelled upon in detail on the Chennai Water Project. His speech was aided with video and slide show presentations. He spoke about the beginning of the project, as to how dramatically Bhagawan announced the project and how the project went ahead despite challenges from various fronts, by sheer grace of Bhagawan. Sri SV Giri, the third speaker spoke in detail on the subject, Bhagawan and His Mission. These three illuminating speeches were followed by a cultural presentation, drama on Bhagavad Gita, by Delhi Youth with the active participation of alumni of Sri Sathya Sai University. Upon the programme, that lasted for approximately two hours, Bhagawan along with His entourage moved to the residence of Kulwant Rai at Aurangazeb Lane where the entourage was treated with sumptuous dinner. Presiding over the Bhajans, blessing the family members, Bhagawan along with His entourage returned to the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at Lodhi Road bringing curtains down for the third day of Bhagawan's Delhi sojourn. Bhagawan also blessed a huge congregation of devotees who were vying for His darshan outside the Rai residence. In the morning, Jaswanth Singh, formerly Minister for External Affairs, Govt. of India, was at the International Centre seeking Divine Blessings. Sat, Apr10, 2010: This morning, Bhagawan came out at around quarter to eleven granting ten minutes darshan at the main stage in the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, Delhi. Blessing the concourse, Bhagawan moved on to the stage of the Primary School within the compound wherein tiny tots from various slums had a twenty minute cultural programme emphasising the greater importance of Unity of Religions. Upon the end of the programme, Bhagawan moved around the complex, sanctifying and blessing various facilities including the computer lab. library etc. Many devotees and sevadals got to have the blessing of closer darshan and paadanamaskaars. Sunil Bharti Mittal, an Indian Telecom Mogul, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Group was also present seeking Divine Darshan. Bhagawan is expected to give a fifteen minute darshan at the Centre in the evening before moving on to the public Darshan venue at DC-10 DDA Grounds (Near Dwarka Sector-10 Metro Station) Dwarka where a forty-minute Cultural Programme is scheduled. Reports received from Delhi indicates that, in the evening, Bhagawan granted Divine Darshan at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at around 5 past 5. As Bhajans continued, Bhagawan sat onstage for 10-15 minutes before Arathi was offered. Upon accepting Arathi, at 5:30, Bhagawan moved to the public Darshan venue at DC-10 DDA Grounds (Near Dwarka Sector-10 Metro Station) Dwarka. Bal Vikas children from Delhi had a drama presentation in front of a capacity audience of around 50000 and most importantly in the Divine presence of Bhagawan. After blessing the children with a photo session Bhagawan left the venue at 7:30 returning to His Divine Abode, Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at Lodhi Road. Earlier in the morning, veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal was at the International Centre seeking Divine Darshan. Sri Ashok Singhal has been a longtime devotee of Bhagawan who frequents to Prasanthi Nilayam regularly. Fri, Apr 09, 2010: This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 9:40. In the afternoon, Bhagawan arrived in His car at 1:43 on His way to the Airport for the scheduled departure for Delhi at 2:15. Stopping for a while at the centre near the lion at the ladies' side, Bhagawan blessed the assemblage, while coconuts were broken and Arathi was offered, a regular sight during Divine departure over the years. Upon accepting Arathi and blessing the concourse, Bhagawan drove past the hall at 1:45. Blessing scattered groups of devotees awaiting enroute intending to steal a glance of the Lord braving scorching sun, Bhagawan arrived at the Sri Sathya Sai Airport at 2:07, driving directly towards the flight. Boarding the plane at 2:11, the specially chartered Kingfisher VT KFG airliner took off at 2:32 after a five minute runway run, for a two hour airborne sojourn carrying the Lord to the national capital, Delhi. Bhagawan’s Divine Chariot touched down the tarmac at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at approximately 1645 hrs. IST. There was a smile on everyone’s face and a feeling – it is true Bhagawan has arrived in Delhi… After an hour-long drive by road, as His car turned into the street where the International Centre is situated, at around 1745 hrs. IST, the drums beat out loud to welcome Him. Bhagawan’s car was led upto the entrance of the Centre by the boys of the band dressed in white and blue, followed by the group of Veda chanting boys dressed in orange. This Vedam group in their splendorous orange attire appeared like marigolds being offered at the Divine Lotus Feet. There were so many Balvikas children that received Him too. All arrangements had been well synchronized, those on wheelchairs had been placed just by the entrance to the lane were they could with great ease have a glimpse of their Lord… Soon Bhagawan granted Darshan to all as ‘Swagatam” rang out in the air. Interestingly, Sri Sathya Sai International Centre and the Shirdi Baba temple, both at Lodhi Road, are opposite to each other. The Divine darshan charmed everyone and ended for the day with Aarati offered to Bhagawan. There was hope for more such Divine interludes in the next few days as the national capital is basking in the Divine Presence!!! Thu, Apr 08, 2010: This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 9:40. On this penultimate Darshan session before embarking on a weeklong visit to the national capital, Delhi, this evening, Bhagawan emerged at 5 to come for a full round of Darshan. Upon completing the round in 15 mts., Bhagawan moved through the lower portico to come onstage through the right of Ganesha, at 5:20. Presiding over the bhajan session till 5:45, upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan asked His student entourage for the trip to assemble and present before Him. After a brief interaction-cum-instruction session with some of the members in the group, Bhagawan moved off the dais at 5:55 proceeding to His Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram, not before raising His Divine Palm thrice, to students, to gents and to ladies separately. Wed, Apr 07, 2010: This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 9:40. This evening, emerging at 5 minutes after 5, Bhagawan went for a slow round granting Darshan, blessing many while gliding past. Coming on to the verandah in 15 minutes, Bhagawan moved through the lower portico to come onstage at 5:23, through the right of Ganesha. Presiding over the bhajan session for the next 12 minutes, Bhagawan moved off the dais at 5:35 into the interview room. Emerging from the interview room at 5:49, Bhagawan moved into the the bhajan hall for a flash before returning to come onstage at 5:53. Arathi was offered at 5:56 and Bhagawan moved off the dais just after 6, retiring to Yajur Mandiram, not before raising His Abhayahastha, thrice, blessing the students, gents and ladies seperately. Tue, Apr 06, 2010: This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 9:40. This evening, arriving at 5:35, Bhagawan went for a full round of Darshan before coming on to the verandah in 10 minutes. Proceeding further, blessing a research scholar on his work, Bhagawan came onstage at 5:50. Sitting for a while presiding over the bhajans, Bhagawan accepted Arathi at 5:55. Upon Arathi, Bhagawan sat through for some time, watching prasadam being distributed before moving off the stage at 6:06 not before blessing the concourse with a double Abhayahasta. Interacting and blessing some devotees, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 6:11. Mon, Apr 05, 2010: This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 9:40. This evening, Bhagawan came out at 5:17 while bhajan was on. Blessing the assemblage with a full round of Darshan, Bhagawan came onstage at 5:34 through the right of Ganesha, blessing many on His way. As bhajans continued, Bhagawan sat through till 6:12 when Arathi was offered. Upon Arathi there was amusement around, when Bhagawan raised His double abhayahasta thrice blessing the concourse amidst rounds of applause. Responding to the claps for the first abhayahasta, Bhagawan granted a second one which was received with greater merriment and Bhagawan, reciprocating to the jubilant mood, raised His Divine Palm for the third time in a row, again for a round of applause. Moving off the stage at 6:17 Bhagawan had a brief interaction with some of the faculties from Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music before proceeding to Yajur Mandiram at 6:20. Upon retiring, Bhagawan blessed the outgoing batch of security personnel (andhra police), outside Yajur Mandiram. Sun, Apr 04, 2010: This morning, emerging at 10:35, Bhagawan went for a full round of Darshan and before ascending the verandah He moved bit further into the ladies' side to return to the verandah, further proceeding to come onstage at 10:49, via University block at the right of Ganesha. As bhajans continued, Bhagawan sat through till 10:55 when Arathi was offered. Blessing the congregation with a double abhayahastha, moving off the dais, Bhagawan had a brief interaction with a group of Alumni seated drawing Divine attention, before moving into the interview room. Emerging at 11:14, after a three minute interaction with some senior devotees, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 11:17. In the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 4:18, to come for a full round of Darshan. Coming onstage at 4:34, through the right of Ganesha, Bhagawan sent word for the group from Sathya Sai Samithi, Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore, seated inside the bhajan hall, to occupy the space next to 3rd block outside. Bhajans began fifteen minutes in advance, at 4:45, and continued till 5:30 when Arathi was offered. Upon Arathi, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 5:35. Prasadam was distributed to the entire sunday assemblage. Sat, Apr 03, 2010: Arathi was offered at 9:40 as there was no Divine Darshan this morning. This evening, Bhagawan emerged at 5:43 while bhajan was on. Completing a full round of Darshan Bhagawan came onstage at 6:02, through the right of Ganesha, blessing many on His way. As bhajans continued, Bhagawan sat through till 6:25 before He moved into the interview room. Emerging at 6:43 Bhagawan called for Arathi at 6:45 before moving off the stage through the right of Ganesha, glancing and blessing many, before proceeding to Yajur Mandiram at 6:55. Prasadam was distributed to students who are staying back despite summer vacation. Fri, Apr 02, 2010: There was no Divine Darshan this morning and Arathi was offered at 9:40. This evening, Bhagawan was ushered into the hall at 4:15 to the chants of Vedas; coming for a full round of Darshan that took 15 minutes, Bhagawan proceeded into the interview room to spend next 45 minutes in. Emerging at 5:13, Bhagawan glided past the upper verandah to come onstage at 5:17 via University Block at the right of Ganesha. Bhagawan sat through the next half-an-hour presiding over the bhajans before Arathi was called for at 5:50. In between an aalaap bhajan "Sri Raghavam...." was rendered at His special instance. Upon accepting Arathi, at 5:55, Bhagawan proceeded towards His Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram. Thu, Apr 01, 2010: There was no Divine Darshan this morning and Arathi was offered at 9:40. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 4:22 for a full round of Darshan. Ascending the veradah in 13 minutes, Bhagawan went into the bhajan hall wherein some boys from the Brindavan Campus, in costumes, were seated seeking blessings for the Gratitude Programme. Emerging at 4:42, Bhagawan moved onstage, through the right of Ganesha, interacting and blessing many on His way. Undergraduate students from the Brindavan Campus presented their Gratitude Programme that commenced at 4:45. The programme that lasted for more than an hour was a hearfelt offering, narrating and depicting many an event that touched their hearts and thus shaped their lives. A small skit was enacted towards the end, wherein the Maharabharata scene of Arjuna preferring Lord Krishna while Duryodhana was more than happy to settle for the 'mighty' army, before the Kurukshetra Battle, was depicted. Bhagawan materialised a chain for the cast of Arjuna, while blessing all the three casts with interactions and photo sessions. Arathi was offered at 5:50 and Bhagawan, after some more interactions on His way, proceeded towards Yajur Mandiram just after six. There was a second round of Universal Prayer, "Samastha Lokaaha...", chanted at Bhagawan's special instruction.