When the construction of the Sarva Dharma Stupa began...

The Sarva Dharma Aikya Stupa at Prasanthi Nilayam

Wednesday, September 17, 1975

Swami entrusted the construction work of the Sarva Dharma Aikya Stupa at Prasanthi Nilayan to Brigadier S. K. Bose in September 1975. This Stupa is a landmark in Swami’s Avataric Mission. It was to be unveiled on Swami’s 50th Birthday, 23rd November, 1975. The 7 foot pit for the base for the Stupa was filled with soil brought from a distance. All the devotees toiled collectively for 3 days under Brigadier Bose, completed the filling over which concrete slabs were to be laid as pedestal for the Stupa (column). There was a heavy downpour at about 3 am on the fourth day. Brigadier Bose spent a sleepless night worrying about the soil filling. He was sure that it would be washed away by the downpour. He went to the site the next morning to gauge the extent of damage. He was pleasantly surprised to see that the surface of the earth-filled area did not show any sign of erosion by the rain. 

Swami came as usual at 10 am to view the progress. Brig. Bose approached Him with folded palms and said, “I witnessed an unprecedented Glory of God this morning”. In a compassionate voice Swami said, “Whenever any work is done by My devotees with full devotion, no damage can come to their work”. This work was completed on time. After a meeting of the Central Trust in the Mandir, all the Trust Members came to the site with Swami who instructed Brig. Bose to mix concrete and place it before Him. Swami handed over a pan-full of concrete to each and every Trust Member who in turn poured the concrete within the frame-work of the Stupa. Thereafter, college students from Brindavan and Anantapur poured in relays pans-full of concrete to the frame-work, which was completed in 60 days. The majestic column proclaiming Swami’s message of Unity of Faiths, stands as a monument concretised by the devotion of those who helped in its construction. 

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijiyam: Part 1 (1926-1985)