A Sojourn in Puttaparthi for Maha Shivaratri 2016: Post No.9

Sri Sathya Sai Anandam

Sai Ram!

We awoke to another hot day!

The head cold was at its peak. I was feeling very lethargic!

We went for morning Darshan.

Wonderful, as always!
The Ashram was still full of devotees.

After lunch in Prasanthi, we decided to take flight beyond Parthi for a little bit.

It is certainly a very contentious issue among many of the devotees world-over, about the recent events/happenings that are taking place at Muddenahalli and beyond its borders.

I will not be expressing my personal thoughts or beliefs here.

As Swami says: Do not be guided by what others tell you, but by your own Conscience.

To experience firsthand, we decided to make a trip to Muddenahalli.

Swami had visited this place many times. He set up a college there.

It is located close to the sacred Nandi Hills near Chikkaballapur, about 123 kms from Parthi and about 50kms from Bangalore (Bengaluru).

Swami in Muddenahalli

"Today I have decided to have a separate campus affiliated to Sri Sathya Sai University in Muddenahalli. Bhagawan's Will is bound to happen. The work will start from tomorrow. Therefore, Swami has Willed to have Sathya Sai University in Muddenahalli. The people living in Muddenahalli are village folk. They live by physical labour. To pursue higher studies, they have to go to cities or towns. Once they have completed their education, they can go elsewhere to earn a living. Swami has decided to inculcate spirituality through Bhagavatam, Bhagawad Gita and Ramayana."

23rd of November, 2008

14th February 2009

Atop the hill, the venue for the foundation stone laying ceremony, Swami was accorded a grand traditional reception with the 'Poorna Kumbham'. Amidst sonorous chanting of the vedas by the students, Swami laid the foundation stone inside the specially erected 'mantapam'. The mantapam and the entire area had a celestial atmosphere with gorgeous flower decorations, colorful balloons and a wide-variety of lush green plants. Swami glanced through the event card and looked at the plans for the college building designed by the L&T Ltd. After laying the foundation stone, Swami returned to Premadeep. He blessed a group of old students of the institution, who sought His Divine sanction to construct 'Prema Kutir', a residential block for the dedicated teachers (thyagajeevis) of Muddenahalli. Another group of well-wishers of the Institution, who proposed to build some guest houses for the comfortable stay of parents of students and other guests, was also blessed by Swami in the Prayer-hall of "Premdeep".Meanwhile, students were singing bhajans on the sprawling lawns under the huge shamiyanas where thousands of people had gathered well in advance to have the darshan of the Lord and listen to His nectarine words. Alighting the specially erected dais in front of the "Premdeep" He granted the coveted Divine darshan to the thousands assembled.