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This morning,
Bhagawan came out at 11 while bhajan was on. Upon emerging granting
Divine Darshan, Bhagawan went straight to sanctify the Ganesh Temple
at the entrance. After sanctifying the temple, Bhagawan further
proceeded to the hostel building adjacent to the school. At the
hostel, Bhagawan was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the children
with "welcome" song. Inaugurating the hostel building by pulling the
ribbon string, Bhagawan sat for sometime listening to the children
singing before returning to "Anand Vilas" to accept Arathi at 12
noon.
Earlier, recording of bhajans and devotional
songs had been on at "Anand Vilas" from 9 onwards until bhajans
began at 10:40. Union Steel Minister, Veerabhadra Singh, who hails
from the state, was at "Anand Vilas" seeking Divine Blessings.
Photos
As Projoli's exquisite
architectural marvel, Anand Vilas, the Divine Abode in
Shimla is marvelling at her great good fortune, for a mortal, whose
search for his immortal identity has taken him to this very
picturesque location that has a widespread of panoramic canvas with
guardian hills around, for this mortal seeker, the sight at Anand
Vilas is verily the meeting of Prakruthi with Purusha, the seeker
and that which is sought!
As the penultimate evening
(darshan session) before Bhagawan's departure to
Delhi arrived,
there was greater expectation and excitement in the air as the news
of Bhagawan's departure was flashed and confirmed by then. Bhagawan
was ushered in at 5 granting Divine Darshan. At 5:10, Bhagawan asked
the Music Troupe of students accompanying Him to have their maiden
music presentation during the trip. What followed was a half-an-hour
scintillating musical shower that lasted at 5:45. The programme had
two carnatic pieces written by Saint Thyagaraja, one Quawwali,
followed by the popular devotional number, Mahapraana Deepam Shivam
Shivam...This was followed by a short stint of bhajans by the same
troupe.
After 3-4 bhajans, Bhagawan moved into the newly constructed
Auditorium wherein children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Shimla and
Balvikas Children of Himachal Pradesh had a combined cultural
programme. The programme that started at 6:15 continued upto 7:30.
The presentation, a drama on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was followed
by an array of dances depicting culture and tradition of the state.
The second programme, "Sai Sanrachna" was a depiction of glimpses of
rich cultural and Divine heritage of Himachal Pradesh in the form of
music and dance. The programme that commenced with a Ganesh Stuthi,
invoking Lord Ganesha had nine songs depicting various cultural
traditions of the state. The second piece to follow was a Shiva
Stuthi followed by Duru Dance. The forth depiction was on Fairs and
Festivals of Himachal Pradesh, consisting of Nagada, Turi,
Narashinga etc. What followed next was a Shakti Dance, depicting
various mudras of five main Shakti Peetas of Himachal Pradesh
believed to have orginated from Maa Sati. This was followed by
Kinnuri Dance of tribals of Kinnore, celebrating Bhagawan's arrival
at Anand Vilas, describing the beauty and splendour of Sanga Valley
of Konnore. Lahaulspipi is supposedly a cold district of Himachal
Pradesh and the next dance was a tribal dance from Lahaulspipi
invoking Divine Grace of Bhagawan. Jamakra folk dance of Kangra
district followed before winding up with the familiar gratitude
song, Yentha Hai...Yentha Hai..thanking Bhagawan for His greater
benediction. .Bhagawan was extremely pleased with the presentation
and with the children who excelled in appeasing the Lord. In between
the programme, Bhagawan was seen asking the photographer, indicating
at the beautiful smiling children, to take proper snaps.
The Union Steel Minister, Mr. Veerabhadra Singh, who was at the
Divine Abode for morning darshan continued to stay for evening
darshan as well. Another noted personality who was present during
the evening was AP Minister for FDC, Information Public Relations
and Tourisms, Dr. (Mrs.) J.Geeta Reddy.
Bhagawan will be taking off to Delhi tomorrow forenoon to reach Sri
Sathya Sai International Centre at 12 noon. Bhagawan is expected to
take off to Puttaparthi on Sunday afternoon. An official
communication from sai delhi.org indicates that Bhagawan will be
arriving at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at 12 noon
tomorrow and there will be evening public darshan at the Centre at
1700 hrs. IST. On Sunday, Bhagawan is expected to grant darshan at
0930 hrs. IST followed by special darshan for Sevadals at 1300 hrs
before His scheduled departure at 1330 hrs. IST from Indira Gandhi
International Airport.
Pujarli, Shimla Visit
Schedule
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Photos
Sai Baba's Arrival in Shimla - Anand Vilas
In the morning,
at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, Bhagawan came out at
9:15 granting darshan for five minutes before accepting Arathi. Upon
accepting Arathi, Bhagawan left for Indira Gandhi International
Airport. Bhagawan would be taking off for Shimla after 10 to reach
Shimla Airport by 11. From the Shimla Airport Bhagawan would be
motored to His Divine Abode,
Anand Vilas, situated 35 kms apart.
Shimla
finally had her hunger satiated! After 35 long years
of waiting, when Bhagawan's plane landed at the Shimla Airport just
after 11:30, it was a dream come true for many and for the hill
station, it was her destined and defined moment, for the sanctifying
touch of her Beloved Lord. Entire stretch of thirty five kilometres,
from the Shimla Airport to the newly built "Anand Vilas", the Divine
Abode in Shimla, thousands upon thousands on the road satiating
their lives desire, stealing a glance of the Lord. There was a riot
of colours all along, with flowers and buntings welcoming the Lord
all over, with rangoli adorning the floor at every every important
locations and thousands upon thousands vying for a glance lined up
all along the way. There were devotees showering flowers, dusting
the ground that touched the "Feet of The Lord", falling at Him in
sasthtanga posture, many with moist eyes, but all with
their hearts full of Love with beaming faces of having satiated
their hunger to have Him in their midst, yet again. It appeared as
if entire Shimla township came to standstill welcoming The Lord!
The original convoy of around 15 to 20
vehicles multiplied in to huge proportions, crossing the hundred
mark and Bhagawan motored the entire stretch of 35 kms in over 80
minutes, blessing the thousands on His way, to reach "Anand Vilas" at 12:50. At the "Anand Vilas" there was a huge gathering of devotees. Upon
arriving, Bhagawan entered His latest of the Abodes, inaugurating
and sanctifying the same. Thereafter, Bhagawan moved onto the
balcony at the second floor granting Darshan to the devotees
assembled inside. It was a moment of great satisfaction and joy for
the devotees of the state, a moment to cherish and a dream come true
and for The Lord, it was His Sankalpa that materialised.
Earlier, at the Shimla Airport, Bhagawan was
welcomed by the Himachal Pradesh Governor, Ms. Urmila Singh along
with scores of other dignitaries. A mention should be made of the
active participation of the Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai University,
contributing their might, making Bhagawan's long pending visit a
most memorable one.
On the first
evening at the new Divine Abode, Bhagawan emerged
for darshan at quarter to six while bhajan was on. As bhajans
continued, Bhagawan sat through for almost an hour, blessing the
vast assemblage of devotees before accepting Arathi. Upon accepting
Arathi, Bhagawan retired for the day.
in Shimla, at Anand Vilas,
what one would witness and appreciate is the highest reverence and
devotion of the devotees over there that was on exhibition ever
since Bhagawan arrived at the Divine Abode. When The Lord emerged in
the evening, granting darshan, one could see thousands of hands
going up, in pure devotional ecstasy, greeting The Lord. ...And as
the assemblage glued their eyes on the beauteous form of the Lord,
it was nothing, but bliss of being in the immediate presence of the
Lord that was reflecting on each and every face. The huge darshan
ground outside Anand Vilas could easily accommodate thousands,
almost the capacity that the Sai Kulwant Hall of Prasanthi would
hold.
In the twilight, this exquisite
architectural marvel situated at Pujarli in Shimla district was
shining in splendour as a beacon of Love and Peace. The building
that was constructed in the most hostile and harsh climatic
conditions prevailing in the cold arid zone in the high altitude
mountain ecosystem was executed by Sai Engineering Foundation, a
voluntary organisation working for the welfare of humanity without
the distinction of caste, colour, creed, region and religion. The
construction work was ably supervised by Sri Raj Kumar Verma, a
long-time devotee and CEO of the Sai Engineering Foundation, as an
offering at His Divine Lotus Feet. Devotees from various parts of
the states would come in batches, on every Sunday, to contribute
their might in the construction work as their loving offering to
Bhagawan.
Greeting and housing The Lord, Pujarli in Shimla
is presenting pleasant weather, a marked change for everyone,
especially at a time when Puttaparthi and Delhi are under severe
summer onslaught.
Today is Vishu, the Kerala New Year, a day when
devotees from the state would celebrate in the immediate Divine
Presence of the Lord for past many years. |
Anand Vilas awaits His Sanctifying
Touch
Thirty five years since He made His last visit, Bhagawan Sri Sathya
Sai Baba is set to set His Feet yet again on the Shimla soil. The
tourist destination that is known for its pine forests and apple
orchards, crisp, clean air and breathtaking views is now going to
earn a permanent place in His Story, in the history of the Avatar of
Age, when He Himself set His Feet yet again sanctifying His Divine
Abode, Anand Vilas, which is verily an exquisite architectural
marvel!
With the last minute preparations on for receiving Bhagawan, for
Anand Vilas, it has been a long journey. The building that took six
long years to complete, starting at 2002 to complete in 2008, the
Abode, that was christened by Bhagawan Himself has been awaiting for
the chosen moment, The Divine Time to arrive to embrace the
Divinity.
The Divine Residence that is built in six floors has a spacious
bhajan hall with a capacity of almost 300 with a balcony on top
wherefrom Bhagawan could view the entire proceedings. The rest of
the four floors consist of His residential complex, interview room
etc.
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Anand Vilas |
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Himachal Pradesh has also set up
Sri Sathya Sai School for Children, a residential school in Shimla,
to impart value-based education to children. With the Divine
blessings of Bhagawan, the school began functioning from 2007
onwards and the classes had started on 21st May 2007. Beginning the
school, admissions were open from class 1 to 5 with each class
having 30 students. There are separate sections for boys and girls.
The school would provide free education as per the ideals set forth
by Bhagawan and also would put into practice the system of integral
education as given by Bhagawan and strive to develop the character
of the students along with academic excellence.
The school is situated amidst lush green verdant hills in a serene
and calm environment. Meandering rivulets add natural beauty to the
campus. The campus comprises a four-storied majestic school
building and a four-storied hostel with all modern amenities. The
school and the hostel are located on adjoining hills, and are
interconnected through a glazed corridor which will help the
students to go to the school without any inconvenience in inclement
weather.
Bhagawan is expected to sanctify the school and hostel building
along with a Ganesh Temple and Saraswathi Temple and an auditorium,
during His stay in Shimla.
While 15th April 2010 would appear on the gold embossed plaque at
the Divine Abode, a peep into His last two visits in the seventies,
in 1973 and 1975 would be interesting serving as a refresher while
anticipating the magical moments yet again.
Bhagawan’s maiden visit to Shimla was in March 1973 during His
22-day tour of Northern India. It was on 17th March 1973, Bhagawan
left Moga for Shimla by car to reach the hill station in the
afternoon. Upon His arrival, Bhagawan granted Darshan to a huge
concourse of devotees on the Ridge.
On the morning of 18th March, there was Darshan, Bhajan followed by
Divine Discourse at the Ridge where every inch of space was occupied
by the surge of devotees, and still there were thousands who sat on
the surrounding hills to hear Bhagawan and have His Divine Darshan.
There was another public meeting on the morning of 18th March 1973
where Bhagawan showered His blessings on lakhs of devotees.
Thousands had Darshan in the lawns of Woodville Palace, the
residence of Bhagawan during His stay at Shimla. Bhagawan also
visited the nearby hill stations of Kufri and Phagu both on the
morning of 17th and 18th March 1973 along with a selected group of
devotees. After sowing the seeds of love, devotion and spirituality
in the hearts of millions of people of the sacred land of Himachal
Pradesh, Bhagawan left Shimla for
Delhi on
the morning of 20th March 1973 by car.
The next and latest visit of Bhagawan to Shimla happened in 1975. It
was on the 30th March 1975, that Bhagawan left Bangalore on a ten
day visit to Delhi, Amritsar, Shimla and Jaipur.
After completing His engagements in Amritsar and Chandigarh, on 2nd
April Bhagawan along with His entourage comprising 20 cars motored
to Shimla. Upon reaching, Bhagawan granted Darshan to thousands
awaiting Him at the Ridge. Next two days, on 3rd and 4th April,
there were programmes of Darshan and Bhajan on the Ridge Maidan,
where Bhagavan sang a few Bhajans also filling thousands of hearts
with joy and devotion. On the morning of 4th April 1975, Bhagawan
gave a nectarine Discourse which was etched in the hearts of simple
hill people of this Himalayan region. On the afternoon of 5th April
1975, Bhagawan left for
Delhi by car, stopping at Solan on the way
for one hour where He gave a Discourse, sang a few Bhajans and
blessed the huge gathering assembled there.
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