Onam Celebrations |
The
Onam festivities at Prasanthi Nilayam have a unique charm of their own.
The entire Sai Family from the state of Kerala gathers at Prasanti
Nilayam to celebrate the festival in the presence of their Divine
Master, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The sacred day marks the occasion
when the mighty Emperor Bali performed the supreme act of surrender to
Lord Vamana, the Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The legend goes that Lord Vamana,
disguised as a Brahmin, asked Bali for just three paces of land. His
first two paces covered the earth and the heavens. And Bali, who would
never go back on his word, offered his own head for the Lord to place
His Feet on, and thus attained liberation. However, he prayed to Vamana
for one last boon - once every year Emperor Bali wished to see his
beloved subjects. This day, when Emperor Mahabali comes to visit his
people, is celebrated as Onam by the people of Kerala. |
Events at
Prashanthi Nilayam - Onam Celebration
08 SEP 2003
Morning
Celebrations started at 7:00 AM. Devotees from Kerala sang.
Swami came out for Darshan at 9:00 a.m. in the golf cart.
He went around Sai Kulwant Hall as usual.
Soon after, Aarathi was performed. Swami then retired to Poornachandra.
An announcement was made that there would be a music program at 4:00 p.m.
Prasad was distributed to all devotees.
Afternoon
Swami came in the afternoon at 3:20 p.m. sitting in His sofa which was fixed to
a large pallet truck with the driver sitting at the back.
Swami came to the usual place He sits in the Sai Kulwant Hall. A dais was setup
by the side.
From 3:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., four of the music college students gave a music
performance.
Then Swami asked two singers from Kerala to sing. They sang the first song
sitting on the floor facing Swami. Swami then asked them to come and take the
dais. They sang further three songs till 5:00 p.m.
Swami created vibhuthi for both of them and left at 5:00 p.m.
Bhajans were sung by kerala group till 5:30 p.m. Mangala aarathi was performed
thereafter.
On Tuesday 09 SEP 2003, Swami came out around 6:45 a.m. Not many people
were in Sai Kulwant Hall at that time. Swami came in the golf cart. He went
around the hall as usual.
There was no Darshan on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday 10 SEP 2003 evening, Swami went out in the white Mercedes around
5:00 p.m. and came back around 5:35 p.m.