Glittering Suvarna Ratothsavam and Blissful Jhoola Mahotsavam…
Friday, November 23rd, 2018
After an eventful morning came the evening with graceful, joyful, blissful celebrations. The customary Suvarna Ratothsavam (Golden Chariot Procession) first was followed by Jhoola Mahotsavam coupled with a musical serenading of the Lord on the Jhoola.
After an eventful morning came the evening with graceful, joyful, blissful celebrations. The customary Suvarna Ratothsavam (Golden Chariot Procession) first was followed by Jhoola Mahotsavam coupled with a musical serenading of the Lord on the Jhoola.
Evening was overcast, with the clouds arraying in the sky occupying the front slot, as if to steal the best view of the Earthly Carnival, of Sri Sathya Sai Suvarna Ratothsavam. The regal procession carrying The Lord commenced at 1700 hrs and went around the Prasanthi Mandir precincts for a complete round of circumambulation.
As the Veda chanters ushered in the Lord on the Golden Chariot, students along with officials and thousands of devotees joined the spectacle, with another thousands joining on both sides of the pathway, greeting The Lord, seeking untold blessings. As The Lord entered the venue at Sai Kulwant Hall, another thousands joined in, offering reverential pranams. Upon entering the venue, The Lord received Mangala Arathi, setting the stage for the next phase of the festivity, the Jhoola Mahotsavam.
After the joyous ride around the Prasanthi Mandir precincts, it was time for The Lord to swing in His Jhoola, to the tunes of musical melodic paeans. The chosen artist for the evening was Sean Roldan, an accomplished Carnatic based musician from Chennai, who is adept in composing, music scoring along with singing.
Coupling with prodigious violinist Embar S. Kannan, Sean with his vocal and electric guitar lit up the twilight with a string of melodic ‘fusion’ numbers, justly entertaining The Lord on the Jhoola. Sarvasree Ravi Shankar on keyboard and Rupak M. Desai on percussion rendered able assistance to the musical duo. “Gangadheeshwaram Shankaram“, “Sai Rama Namo Namah… Sai Krishna Namo Namah…“, “Jagadodharana Aadisidale Yashodha…, Narayan Narayan Jai Govinda Hare… a Haridas Giri style sampradaya bhajan with carnatic touch were some of the evening numbers by Sean.
Bhajans followed and Mangala Arathi marked the end of the glorious 23rd November proceedings.
Throughout the festive week entire Prasanthi Nilayam turned lit up with colourful decor, and Yajur Mandir remained shining in multihued splendour.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Posted in Prasanthi News |
