A Memorable visit to Puttabarthi
During the last two months Bhanu & Ramachandran is to correspond with me about their plan to visit Puttabharthi, the abode of Satya Sai Baba. Though I knew something about Prashanthi Nilayam, I did not know the amount of progress being done at Prashanthi Nilagham and also Puttabarthi. On a request from Bhanu, I started collecting information about the bus, accommodation and other facilities available at Puttabharpathi. My friend Mrs Kalyani gave me some information about the facilities and darshan. She also gave some telephone numbers pertaining to some good hotels. Accordingly, I booked accommodation at Hotel Sai plaza for our journey on 26th December 06. Unfortunately, we could not get KSRTC Bus reservation on 26th December 06 as per our plan. Hence we were forced to change our schedule to 27th .and accordingly the tickets were purchased in Raja Hamsa leaving at 10.45.am On 27th December 06, we left home at 9.30.am and boarded B.M.T.C. to Kempegowda Bus Terminus. Due to some technical. Snag , the bus arrived late at about 11.15.am. andleft Bus station at 11.3o.am. There were half a dozen seats vacant.. Perhaps this might be due to an earlier Vulvo Bus to Puttaparthi. Seats were very good and comfortable. So to say the entire journey was very enjoyable. While Bhanu & Company were busy talking each other since there seats were very close by, I had to see some good company to talk. Fortunately, to my luck a college student from Hyderabad was next to my seat. I just started introducing and after sometime we were good friends.The boy is from Darjiling . He was traveling with his sister and a relative. He was quite resourceful and gave me some information about accommodation etc., at Puttaparthi. It was about 4.pm when we reached Puttaparthi Bus terminus. The entire family of the boy was helpful in guiding us to the Prashanti Nilayam. Since we were new to the place, they literally took us near the accommodation counter. Since Bhanu could not sleep on floor and also new to the place, we just moved to the hotel were we had booked accommodation earlier. Due to some communication gap, they had cancelled the accommodation and there was no room for our reach. However, we were given accommodation at a higher rent of Rs.1500/- per day. As there was no other alternative we had to accept the offer and pay the advance. We occupied the hotel room around 4.30.am. and by 5.pm after refreshing ourselves we left for Prashanthi Nilayam for prayer between 5.pm to 5.30.pm The visit to Prashanthi Nilayam was quite exiting. This place is really fine and there is lot of discipline in the Nilayam. The entire area is neatly organized and the volunteers were doing their job very meticulously. We waited for Baba’s darshan,but could not see him.However, we participated in the regular Bhajan from 5.pm to 5.30.pm. Normally, Baba will also participate in the Bhajan. Since he was exhausted due to Christmas programmes on 25th December 06, he could not make up. In the meanwhile, we alsosearched for some good accommodation at a lesser rate.
-It is pertinent to mention here that the Prashanthi Nilayam, the abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba has a fantastic building consist of a big prayer hall which could accommodate more than 5 to 6 thousand as per my estimate. Perhaps this might be even more. The entire hall was jam packed. At the front entrance of the Prashanti Nilayam, one can see Maha Ganapathi Statue adorned majestically drawing attention of one and all and on the other side, one can see the statues of Rama,Seetha and Lakshmana along with Hanuman. The entire building housing the Prashanthi Nilayam is neatly kept. For the convenience of the devotees, there were separate Halls for South Indian, Western and North Indian foods. .Only vegetarian foods are served in these Halls. In addition there were Coffee/tea stalls and also a Bakery to meet the needs of the devotees. During our visit to these places we saw almost all the halls are crowded with devotees. Exactly between 7.am to 8,30,am it is breakfast time. One can get good breakfast comprising of idli.pongal,vada ,uppuma or other items and sweets also. From 11.30.am to 1.30pm it is lunch time. Like wise in the evening from 4.pm to 6.pm it is tea time and 7.pm to 8.30.pm it is Dinner. One can get good chapatti and curry etc including curds rice or simple meals. Each item they charge Rs.2/- only. For us for Rs.6/- we had good food. One should admire the patience and also the pressure under which the volunteers are at these canteens work.One can see their devotion and attention in their work. The seva attitude among people irrespective of their region, language and caste can be seen in the Prashanthi nilayamSince this was my first visit so also of Bhanu & Co, we were thrilled to see the gathering of Sai deavotees. After our prayer, we just roamed the campus of Prashanthi Nilayam. We had our dinner by about 7.pm and later roamed near the main building and later retired to our room. As we were exhausted due to bus journey we slept early. The next day 28th morning, Bhanu woke up early to have darshan of Baba.. It was nearly 4.am when she reached the Prashanthi Nilayam. However, self and N.K.R reached the place by 7.30.am. As usual we waited for Bhajan and at stroke of 9.am it started and ended exactly at 9.30,am. However, there was no sign of Baba in the hall. However, again, we came to know that Baba is likely to give darshan between 3.30.to 4.30.pm. Hence by about 3.30.pm we shifted to a moderate hotel as the rent per day was more in the earlier one. Later by about 4.45.pm baba gave darshan in a closed car and participated in the prayer. He was present till the prayer was over at 5.30.am. . Bhanu had a good darshan and was very happy.. After participating in the prayer meeting, we just entered into the Publication Division and purchased some books,. CDs & .VCD. We also visited the shopping complex nearby and purchased goods worth about Rs.300/- It was about 7.45.pm when we came out and entered the North Indian Cafeteria. We had good food and later returned to hotel for rest and sleep.
On 29th morning, Bhanu again went early for darshan. self and N.K.R. reached Prashanthi Nilayam by 7.30.am and waited for darshan. However before the Bhajan started at 9.am,Baba went in a closed car and participated in Bhajan. Self and N.K.R. after attending to Bhajan and later having our breakfast left for KSRTC booking counter at 10.30.am for booking a Non-AC Mayura Bus for our return journey at 5.pm. It was about about 10.pm when we reached our house.The entire journey was very peaceful,enjoyable and pleasant. I feel such frequent trips is quite necessary for rejuvenation of mind and body.In general I was very much impressed about the progress being made by the Swamiji and his devoted.devotees in transforming the entire Puttaparthi, a hamlet into an international fame. With the swami’s initiativeness, puttaparthi and its surrounding areas were able to get drinking water, good educational institutions,music and vedic schools apart from hitech hospital. People from far flung areas do visit puttaparthi for medical and educational needs. When we go round the entire Prashanthi Nilayam and its surroundings we can see unity in diversity.
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During the last two months Bhanu & Ramachandran is to correspond with me about their plan to visit Puttabharthi, the abode of Satya Sai Baba. Though I knew something about Prashanthi Nilayam, I did not know the amount of progress being done at Prashanthi Nilagham and also Puttabarthi. On a request from Bhanu, I started collecting information about the bus, accommodation and other facilities available at Puttabharpathi. My friend Mrs Kalyani gave me some information about the facilities and darshan. She also gave some telephone numbers pertaining to some good hotels. Accordingly, I booked accommodation at Hotel Sai plaza for our journey on 26th December 06. Unfortunately, we could not get KSRTC Bus reservation on 26th December 06 as per our plan. Hence we were forced to change our schedule to 27th .and accordingly the tickets were purchased in Raja Hamsa leaving at 10.45.am On 27th December 06, we left home at 9.30.am and boarded B.M.T.C. to Kempegowda Bus Terminus. Due to some technical. Snag , the bus arrived late at about 11.15.am. andleft Bus station at 11.3o.am. There were half a dozen seats vacant.. Perhaps this might be due to an earlier Vulvo Bus to Puttaparthi. Seats were very good and comfortable. So to say the entire journey was very enjoyable. While Bhanu & Company were busy talking each other since there seats were very close by, I had to see some good company to talk. Fortunately, to my luck a college student from Hyderabad was next to my seat. I just started introducing and after sometime we were good friends.The boy is from Darjiling . He was traveling with his sister and a relative. He was quite resourceful and gave me some information about accommodation etc., at Puttaparthi. It was about 4.pm when we reached Puttaparthi Bus terminus. The entire family of the boy was helpful in guiding us to the Prashanti Nilayam. Since we were new to the place, they literally took us near the accommodation counter. Since Bhanu could not sleep on floor and also new to the place, we just moved to the hotel were we had booked accommodation earlier. Due to some communication gap, they had cancelled the accommodation and there was no room for our reach. However, we were given accommodation at a higher rent of Rs.1500/- per day. As there was no other alternative we had to accept the offer and pay the advance. We occupied the hotel room around 4.30.am. and by 5.pm after refreshing ourselves we left for Prashanthi Nilayam for prayer between 5.pm to 5.30.pm The visit to Prashanthi Nilayam was quite exiting. This place is really fine and there is lot of discipline in the Nilayam. The entire area is neatly organized and the volunteers were doing their job very meticulously. We waited for Baba’s darshan,but could not see him.However, we participated in the regular Bhajan from 5.pm to 5.30.pm. Normally, Baba will also participate in the Bhajan. Since he was exhausted due to Christmas programmes on 25th December 06, he could not make up. In the meanwhile, we alsosearched for some good accommodation at a lesser rate.
-It is pertinent to mention here that the Prashanthi Nilayam, the abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba has a fantastic building consist of a big prayer hall which could accommodate more than 5 to 6 thousand as per my estimate. Perhaps this might be even more. The entire hall was jam packed. At the front entrance of the Prashanti Nilayam, one can see Maha Ganapathi Statue adorned majestically drawing attention of one and all and on the other side, one can see the statues of Rama,Seetha and Lakshmana along with Hanuman. The entire building housing the Prashanthi Nilayam is neatly kept. For the convenience of the devotees, there were separate Halls for South Indian, Western and North Indian foods. .Only vegetarian foods are served in these Halls. In addition there were Coffee/tea stalls and also a Bakery to meet the needs of the devotees. During our visit to these places we saw almost all the halls are crowded with devotees. Exactly between 7.am to 8,30,am it is breakfast time. One can get good breakfast comprising of idli.pongal,vada ,uppuma or other items and sweets also. From 11.30.am to 1.30pm it is lunch time. Like wise in the evening from 4.pm to 6.pm it is tea time and 7.pm to 8.30.pm it is Dinner. One can get good chapatti and curry etc including curds rice or simple meals. Each item they charge Rs.2/- only. For us for Rs.6/- we had good food. One should admire the patience and also the pressure under which the volunteers are at these canteens work.One can see their devotion and attention in their work. The seva attitude among people irrespective of their region, language and caste can be seen in the Prashanthi nilayamSince this was my first visit so also of Bhanu & Co, we were thrilled to see the gathering of Sai deavotees. After our prayer, we just roamed the campus of Prashanthi Nilayam. We had our dinner by about 7.pm and later roamed near the main building and later retired to our room. As we were exhausted due to bus journey we slept early. The next day 28th morning, Bhanu woke up early to have darshan of Baba.. It was nearly 4.am when she reached the Prashanthi Nilayam. However, self and N.K.R reached the place by 7.30.am. As usual we waited for Bhajan and at stroke of 9.am it started and ended exactly at 9.30,am. However, there was no sign of Baba in the hall. However, again, we came to know that Baba is likely to give darshan between 3.30.to 4.30.pm. Hence by about 3.30.pm we shifted to a moderate hotel as the rent per day was more in the earlier one. Later by about 4.45.pm baba gave darshan in a closed car and participated in the prayer. He was present till the prayer was over at 5.30.am. . Bhanu had a good darshan and was very happy.. After participating in the prayer meeting, we just entered into the Publication Division and purchased some books,. CDs & .VCD. We also visited the shopping complex nearby and purchased goods worth about Rs.300/- It was about 7.45.pm when we came out and entered the North Indian Cafeteria. We had good food and later returned to hotel for rest and sleep.
On 29th morning, Bhanu again went early for darshan. self and N.K.R. reached Prashanthi Nilayam by 7.30.am and waited for darshan. However before the Bhajan started at 9.am,Baba went in a closed car and participated in Bhajan. Self and N.K.R. after attending to Bhajan and later having our breakfast left for KSRTC booking counter at 10.30.am for booking a Non-AC Mayura Bus for our return journey at 5.pm. It was about about 10.pm when we reached our house.The entire journey was very peaceful,enjoyable and pleasant. I feel such frequent trips is quite necessary for rejuvenation of mind and body.In general I was very much impressed about the progress being made by the Swamiji and his devoted.devotees in transforming the entire Puttaparthi, a hamlet into an international fame. With the swami’s initiativeness, puttaparthi and its surrounding areas were able to get drinking water, good educational institutions,music and vedic schools apart from hitech hospital. People from far flung areas do visit puttaparthi for medical and educational needs. When we go round the entire Prashanthi Nilayam and its surroundings we can see unity in diversity.
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