DIA 3 Y 4 - VIAJE DE SAI BABA A DELHI, INDIA

This morning, 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 Bahai 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 at 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 any 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 Faithand other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language. Following this 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 Swami by people from Baja's faith. The function was attended by around 300 people, that lasted almost for an hour.

From the Bahá'í Temple Bhagawan and His entourage moved to Justice PN Bhagavathi's residence. Hon. Justice P. N. Bhagwathi is an eminent jurist of International reputation and was formerly the Chief Justice of India. Justice Bhagavathi 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 long time devotee of Bhagawan and had visited Prasnathi Nilayam several times.

Day 3 - 11th April 2010 Sathya Sai Baba Darshan in Delhi -

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.

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 Mavalankar Auditorium at about 5. There were three speakers for the session. Prof. G Venkataraman who spoke first dwelled upon in detail ont 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 of the project and how the project went ahead despite challenges from variosu fronts, by sheer grace ofr Bhagawan. He was followed by Sunil Bharti Mittal who 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. 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, 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.

In the morning, Jaswanth Singh, formerly Minister for External Affairs, Govt. of India, was at the International Centre seeking Divine Blessings.

Day 2 - 10th April 2010 Sathya Sai Baba Darshan in Delhi -

On the first morning of Bhagawan in Delhi after 11 years, the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre was bristling with devotees in large numbers. Along with these thousands there were men and women of accomplishments from the world of business and society, vying to steal a glance and blessings from Bhagawan.

This included the Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Telecom that runs India’s largest cellular company, Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Hero Honda Group Chairman Brij MohanLal Munjal, Minister of State for Railways, Mr.Muniappa and Justice Karpaga Vinayagam, currently Chairman, Appellate Tribunal For Electricity and Times of India Chief Mrs. Indu Jain.

 

Rudram Chanting began at 8:33 followed by bhajans at 9 that continued till 10:55. Bhagawan came out at 10:45 to preside over the bhajans for the next ten minutes, sitting onstage.

Upon accepting Arathi Bhagawan moved towards the Primary School block.
 

There was a cultural programme by slum children 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 etc. Many Sevadals and devotees got the opportunity having closer darshan and many with Paadanamaskaars.

 

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. Devotees from various North Indian states were also present apart from thousands of Delhites. Many have come from UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
 

After Rudram chanting followed by Bhajans, Bal Vikas children from the state had a Drama presentation before a capacity audience and more importantly for Bhagawan. At 7:30 Bhagawan left the venue for Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, not before blessing the tiny tots with a photo session.

Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrives in Delhi  - Day 1 - 9th April 2010

Information received from Delhi indicates that the "Air Chariot" carrying Bhagawan touched down the tarmac at Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 1650 hrs. IST. Bhagawan and His entourage would be driving down to Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, almost an hour drive from the airport.
 

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!!!

Sai Ram - Departure from Puttaparthi - Bhagawan leaves for Delhi...

Posted at 1630 IST on April 9, 2010

Delhi’s joy becomes the moments of desperation for Prasanthi. As the national capital is gearing up to welcome the most anticipated moment, the “Return of The Lord”, after eleven long years of anticipation, Prasanthi bid farewell to The Lord who embarked on a weeklong visit to the national capital starting from tomorrow.

Despite the intense summer, at 13 hrs. post lunch, Sai Kulwant had good assemblage of devotees anticipating Bhagawan to make His entry enroute to His scheduled departure at 2:15.

To the delight of thousands assembled, Bhagawan came in His Toyota Porte at 1:43 on His way to the Airport. 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 the 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, embarking on a two hour airborne sojourn carrying the Lord to the national capital, Delhi. Hundreds of onlookers, including staff and students were at the airport wishing “Happy Journey” to Bhagawan for His weeklong Divine Sojourn.

In the meantime reports from Delhi indicates of the mood of merriment of the greater anticipation of His Divine Arrival.    top

Here comes the musings on the mood in Delhi…

Oh, how He fulfils the yearning of every heart,
The longing has to intensify,
Incessant is the flow of grace, of the One who lived in Shirdi,
But now walks amongst us as Sathya Sai…

India’s capital city – Delhi, truly became the nation’s pride, as it so lovingly and joyfully prepared to welcome Beloved Bhagawan on this afternoon. The Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, New Delhi, is being decorated gaily. Shamianas have been put up, there are flowers of a myriad colours, red carpet everywhere that Beloved Bhagawan will tread. Sai brothers and sisters are on Seva Dal duty are seen sharing information to all who are eager for a darshan of The Lord. There is a kind of expectancy and excitement in the air which is so palpable. Lord Surya seems to have softened His rays, birds are chirping with delight, animals too have sensed the visit of the Lord, the leaves on the trees are swaying with joy as the breeze brings news of Bhagawan’s arrival…

Like coming across an oasis in the middle of a desert, Bhagawan’s visit is an event that every parched heart is looking forward to. When one listens to the news on any channel or in the newspapers, all one gets to hear is negative things that makes one feel threatened, frustrated and helpless. Beloved Bhagawan – His very name, His darshan, sparshan and sambhashan is the beacon of light, hope and love that all are looking forward to.

The flying chariot for our sweet Lord is scheduled to arrive in the Rajdhani at around 4:30 pm. The International centre is being beautified even as Brindavan was when Sri Krishna returned for a visit. Can one imagine the joy of the Brijvasis – the cows, calves, the gopis, gopas? Delhi too, will with great fervor and humility receive the touch of the Lord’s Holy Lotus Feet after a separation of ten years…

The world over, the attention of Sai fraternity and spiritual seekers is fixed on Delhi, as devotees await news of the Lord’s visit. If we but let our imagination flow, we can perhaps visualize the flying chariot in the blue sky, with Lord Ganesha in front leading the divine entourage, Lord Kartikeya and Ananta Shesha as Lord Balram, on the two sides as escorts, and of course, Sri Hanumanji following…a sight fit for celestial beings!!! There will be a brilliant glow in the sky that will move northwards over India to descend into New Delhi and all will benefit from the constant flow of grace.

How very fortunate are we all to get even a glimpse of the Lord in this His present Avataric form!!!  top

Darshan

In the afternoon, Bhagawan arrived in the 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.