Aum Sri Sai Ram

Press Release by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust

February 20 2012

MAHA SHIVARATHRI CELEBRATIONS AT PRASANTI NILAYAM:

The first Maha Shivarathri after Baba's Mahasamadhi last April  was celebrated to a packed Kulwant Hall.

Commencing the day’s proceedings,the University Percussion Band, both Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam, played for half-an-hour heralding the auspiciousness of the occasion, while Veda chanting continued as scheduled, till 0830 hrs.

At 0830 hrs.students of the Sathya Sai Institutions  began their rendition with Vishwanathashtakam followed by Lingashtakam and many other hymns that included some excellent
Carnatic pieces,. Mangala Arathi was offered at 0950 hrs.

THe celebration continued in the evening with "Lingabhishekam" to the sanctified Sayeeswara Lingam .  The proceedings began at 1610 hrs. with a procession carrying the "Sayeeswara Lingam" to the venue in Sai Kulwant Hall. Mounted on an elevated platform was the Lingam that was sanctified during the Ati Rudra Maha Yajna in 2006 in the immediate
presence  of Baba 

Ritualisistic proceedings and Abhishekam with 18 items (Milk,Honey,Ghee,Curd,Sugar,Gandham,5 types of Dry fruits Coconut Water,Flowers,Akshata,Vibuthi,Rudraksha,Bilva,Sacred
Grass,Gold,Turmeric and Kumkum). as specified in classic Vedic literature began soon that lasted an hour and half.  Sri Sathya Sai Sahasra Namavali chanting followed before Mangala Arathi offering to the Lingam. The entire proceedings was conducted by Prof. Nanjunda Dixit who officiated the Ati Rudra Maha Yajnam in 2006. The Lingabhishekam is aimed at Universal Peace and Global Harmony.

A recorded discourse of Baba on the significance of the auspicious night was played for the next fifteen minutes before the commencement of the Akhanda Bhajan. Bhagawan's discourse ended with His favourite Bhajan, "Prema Muditha Manase Kaho..." that marked the beginning of the Akhanda Bhajan.

The night-long vigil singing will continue till 0600 hrs. tomorrow morning.

Media Coordinator
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
Prasanthi Nilayam

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Jai Sai Ram!