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Sri Sathya Sai residence in Shimla - Anand Vilas
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... Continued from Part 1
On the morning of 15th April, 2010, Bhagavan granted His Divine Darshan to the devotees at the International Centre at 9.15 am, received Mangala Aarati and left for Shimla by a chartered plane from Indira Gandhi International Airport at about 10.30 am. Bhagavan reached Shimla Airport at 11.30 am. A police band and folk musicians of Himachal Pradesh welcomed Bhagavan with auspicious notes on their traditional instruments. The thousands of devotees thirsting for Bhagavan’s Darshan, who had come to bless them for the first time after His 1975 visit – a long gap of 35 years – offered a warm and joyous welcome to their Lord at the airport. Sri Shyam Sundar, State President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Himachal Pradesh, along with scores of dignitaries offered a reverential welcome to Bhagavan. The convoy of Bhagavan’s cars covered a distance of 29 kilometres and reached Anand Vilas, a newly constructed residence for Bhagavan in Shimla at 12.30 pm. The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Ms. Urmila Singh, offered reverential welcome to Bhagavan amidst band music and folk music at Anand Vilas. Bhagavan ceremonially inaugurated the building and entered it. Then Bhagavan stood in the balcony and granted His Divine Darshan to the thousands of devotees who had come from all parts of Himachal Pradesh and gathered in the vast ground outside the Anand Vilas.
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| Darshan inside Anand Vilas |
On the evening of 15th April, 2010, Bhagavan granted His Divine Darshan at 5.45 pm and spent nearly one hour moving amongst the devotees and showering His benedictions on them. On this occasion, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sri Premkumar Dhumal, Members of Parliament, Ministers of the Government, Members of the Legislative Assembly and many bureaucrats came to seek Bhagavan’s blessings. On this occasion of Bhagavan’s visit, the Sai Organisation of Himachal Pradesh set up the Sanathana Sarathi Golden Jubilee Photo Exhibition ‘Journey with Sai’ at Pujarli, Shimla from 14th to 17th April, 2010. Thousands of devotees after receiving the blissful Darshan of Bhagavan visited this exhibition which highlighted the life, teachings and visits of Bhagavan to different places.
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| Darshan outside Anand Vilas |
On the morning of 16th April, 2010, Bhagavan granted His Divine Darshan at 11.00 am, outside Anand Vilas where a mammoth gathering eagerly awaited His Darshan. After blessing the gathering, Bhagavan consecrated the newly built Ganesha Temple at the entrance of the Anand Vilas and blessed the Bhajan singers. Thereafter, Bhagavan proceeded to the hostel of Sri Sathya Sai School, started by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Himachal Pradesh in the year 2007. At the hostel adjoining the school Bhagavan was accorded a ceremonial welcome with Poorna Kumbham amidst Vedic chanting and a welcome song by the students. Bhagavan then inaugurated the hostel building and remained there for some time listening to the devotional songs rendered by the students. Bhagavan returned to Anand Vilas at 12.00 noon and received Mangala Aarati. On this morning the Union Minister for Steel, Sri Veerbhadra Singh came to seek the blessings of Bhagavan.
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| The sea of humanity from the hills of Shimla gathered for Sri Sathya Sai Darshan |
On the evening of 16th April, 2010, Bhagavan blessed the devotees with His Divine Darshan at 5.00 pm. On this evening, the students of Sri Sathya Sai University who accompanied Bhagavan from Prasanthi Nilayam offered devotional music programme in the Divine Presence. They presented two compositions of Tyagaraja and an excellent Qawali. After Bhajans, Bhagavan entered a newly constructed auditorium where Bal Vikas children and students of Sri Sathya Sai School jointly presented a cultural programme. They presented a drama on the life of Ishwarachandra Vidyasagar, and another programme entitled ‘Sai Sanrachna’ which depicted the rich cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. Bhagavan blessed the participants of the drama and received Mangala Aarati at 7.30 pm.
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| Sathya Sai with Students - Interactions with the entourage |
On the morning of 17th April, 2010, Bhagavan blessed the devotees with His Divine Darshan during the Bhajan session in the grounds of Anand Vilas at 8.45 am. He accepted Mangala Aarati at 8.50 am before leaving for Shimla Airport. Bhagavan reached the airport at 10.20 am and flew to Delhi with His entourage by a chartered plane. He reached Delhi Airport at 12.00 noon and proceeded to Sri Sathya Sai International Centre.
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| Yashwant Sinha, Former Finance Minister, with Sri Sathya Sai |
On the evening of 17th April, 2010, Bhagavan granted His Divine Darshan at the International Centre at 6.00 pm. This evening, Smt. Ambica Soni, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and the steel magnate Sri Navin Jindal came to seek Bhagavan’s blessings. After blessing the gathering, Bhagavan went on a ‘Divine Safari’. Driving through some significant land marks of Delhi, viz. Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Parliament House, India Gate, Shanti Path, Supreme Court of India and Purana Qila (Indraprastha). This more than half an hour safari was at a slow pace and many fortunate ones could get the unexpected blessings. Bhagavan reached the International Centre where Bhajans continued awaiting Bhagavan’s arrival. On His return, Bhagavan spoke to the students of Sri Sathya Sai University who had just returned from Shimla by bus. Bhagavan then accepted Mangala Aarati and returned to His Abode.
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| Dinner with the entourage at the International Center |
On the morning of 18th April, 2010, Bhagavan blessed the Sai Centre committee members, Delhi Youth and Seva Dal who had done an excellent job throughout Bhagavan’s stay in Delhi.
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| Sri Sathya Sai with Delhi Seva Dal Members Core Team |
The devotees gathered at the International Centre offered a loving and emotional farewell to their beloved Lord as He left for the Airport to return to Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagavan’s plane took off from Delhi Airport at 1.45 pm and reached Sri Sathya Sai Airport, Prasanthi Nilayam at about 4.00 pm. Bhagavan was offered a warm and traditional welcome with Poorna Kumbham in Sai Kulwant Hall amidst Vedic chanting at 4.15 pm. The students welcomed Bhagavan with a welcome song extending a hearty welcome. Bhagavan went to His Abode Yajur Mandir only to return to Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.25 pm. After showering bliss of His Divine Darshan on one and all, Bhagavan accepted Mangala Aarati at 5.45 pm. Thus, concluded the Divine visit of Bhagavan to Delhi and Shimla for ten days conferring joy and happiness on thousands of devotees.
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| Music Programme by Sai Students at 30,000 feet above ground (On board the flight from Delhi to Mumbai) |
OM SAI RAM:)
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