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Sai News:
Prasanthi Nilayam 18th Nov. 2005
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click on the picture (left) to see large size collage of Rathotsavam
 Dear devotees, Sai Ram! According to
SBOI group
source: today
the week-long celebrations commenced with the traditional
Rathotsavam. Swami came at 8.a.m in
the morning to bless all for His darshan and commenced the Rathotsavam
(Chariot Festival). The Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival)
at Prasanthi Nilayam is a tradition that goes back many
decades to the early 1950's. On this day, the students of Bhagawan,
chanting Vedic incantations and singing Bhajans, lead a procession with
the idol of Lord Krishna on a rath (chariot) and the idols of Lord Rama,
Lakshmana and Mother Sita on a palanquin, to the Old Mandir or what is now
the Kalyana Mantapam, in the village of Puttaparthi. After worship is
offered to the deities, the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita return to
the Mandir. Later, in the evening, the idols are taken out in a procession
in the village of Puttaparthi, amidst joyous celebration by the villagers.
Also from today 18th Nov. and up until 24th Nov. Free food
(quick meals)
will be provided to all devotees. Therefore South Indian canteen will be
full of activity and Sevadal will continue working round the
clock to prepare the food and keep the supply of necessary green
groceries, rice, dal etc in full flow, already many truck loads of food
has arrived.
click on the picture (left) to see large size collage of Rathotsavam
Sacred past: Swami’s dance
performance at Kothacheravu, during the Rathotsavam
festival.
 Before long, a professional dramatic
troupe visited the area and enacted some musical plays that attracted
mammoth audiences. They put up their stage at Bukkapatnam, and later moved
to Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu, Elumalapalli and other big villages and
their performances became the talk of the entire district. They had a girl
dancer, with the stage name of Rishyendramani, who combined, in a series
of dance items, both gymnastics and music. Her piece de resistance was a
dance, in which, keeping track of the timing and the tune she danced with
a bottle balanced on her head, bent low, sat, and laid herself on the
floor, with her back up, bit with her teeth a kerchief placed on a
matchbox on the floor, and with the kerchief between her teeth sat back
again rose, and stood, with the bottle still balanced on the head! A
pretty difficult assignment indeed! By long practice, she had trained
herself for this tortuous feat. No wonder, she won the applause of the
people wherever she did it.
Sathyanarayana went with others to
witness the plays of these professionals and, he too saw this item. Later,
after he came home, he tried to do it himself and , to the surprise of
all, he could do it without much ado! When the elders asked to be shown
this new item in Sathya's repertory, he withdrew within himself and
hesitated. But, the news got abroad and some enterprising young men
persuaded him to agree to dance the famous feat, at Kothacheravu, during
the Rathotsavam and Cattle Fair. They had the temerity to announce that
the famous Rishyendramani herself will appear in the play, for they felt
so confident that Sathya will not disappoint them or the audience. The
sisters dressed the brother as girl, completed the hairdo and personal
decoration and took him to Kothacheruvu. Pedda Venkapa Raju who heard
about the audacity became suddenly afraid to the consequences of the
foolhardy adventure into which Sathya was inveigled. The curtain rose;
Rishyendramani tripped her way into the Durbar Hall of Kamsa; the audience
was too wild with excitement to note any difference; the famous dance
piece began; Sathya had improved upon it and substituted a needle, in
place of the kerchief; it was lifted by the eyelids! Yes; the 'Rishyendramani'
of that day, did it!!
Exclusive cards:
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Images Swami
performing 80 marriages!
SBOI has
also released a collection of 18 rare & beautiful pictures of Swami. An
80th birthday tribute, we encourage everyone to visit this page and enjoy
charming Sai. Also, spread the joy by sending this photo link to your
fellow devotees.
http://www.saibabaofindia.com/rare_pictures_of_sai_baba_1.htm
Email to
SBOI at -
saibabaofindia@yahoo.com
Sai Darshan News: 10th Nov 11th Nov
12th Nov.
13th Nov.
14th
15th
16th
part -1 16th Nov part 2
FUNCTIONS AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM FROM 17TH NOVEMBER 2005
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