Thiruvonam in Prasanthi Nilayam…
Friday, August 28th, 2015
Onam is not just another festivity to cherish and make merry, but a grand age-old tradition with a great cultural and spiritual foundation. Taking a cue from this grand tradition, the modern populace must strive to recreate the golden past of the Mahabali Era, by following Bhagawan’s dictums in thought, word and deed. In the bygone days, Bhagawan would invariably speak of ‘Bali Chakravarthi’, heaping praise on the Emperor for the ideals he stood for.Today, after week-long Pre-Onam celebrations, when Thiruvonam dawned here, Prasanthi wore typical Kerala colours, with the festive spirit spreading all over.
On this special morning, the Sannidhi curtains at the Sanctum Sanctorum remained open for half-an-hour, from 0510 till 0540 hrs, granting the splendid spectacle of Divine Darshan for the morning congregation of devotees.
Later in the morning, traditional percussion music greeted the devotees before the commencement of the special session at Sai Kulwant Hall.
A devotional music offering by Kum. Abhirami Ajai was the highlight of the morning session. A noted Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Abhirami began with Bhagawan’s ‘Advaita’ song, “Na Punyam Na Papam” that was followed by a ‘Jai Ganesh’ number, invoking Lord Ganesha.
The programme flowed on for the next fifty minutes, flowering some of the finest blossoms, exclusive compositions on the Sai theme, all with a classical touch. “Sarasija Nayane Saśańkha-Cakre…”, “Enna Thava Seythanu Easwaramma…”, “Shambho Mahadeva…”, “Darshan Do Bhagawan….”, “Karunacheyvan Enthe Thaamasam Krishna…” were the melodies that rang out this morning with a couple of bhajans interspersed in between. “Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma…” struck an apt chord on this auspicious occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam. The gifted vocalist signed off with a mellifluous rendering of Ardhanareeshwara Strotram that was followed by three Sai Gayathris.
All in all it was a rich musical banquet in the morning, ahead of a traditional ‘Onam Feast’, scheduled during the later part of the day. With her rich tonal quality mingling with deep intense passion, Abhirami, with her rendition left an indelible mark on the august assembly, turning the morning into a most memorable one.
Percussion Band from the Institute played for a while which was followed by bhajans.
Mangala Arathi at 0930 hrs. marked the end of the morning proceedings.
Following the Kerala Onam tradition, a grand Onam Sadhya is organised, for devotees en masse, in the South Indian Canteen.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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