99th Birthday celebrations
Nov. 17, 2024
SIVAM
A Grand Celebration of Sathya Sai Baba's 99th Birth Anniversary in Hyderabad
On November 17, 2024, the first day of the grand celebrations commemorating the 99th birth anniversary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba commenced at the Sivam Mandir in Vidyanagar, Hyderabad. As part of the festivities, 16 samithies participated in a vibrant and colorful palanquin procession that reverberated with the holy name of Sai throughout the streets of Sivam.
Each palanquin was meticulously adorned with a profusion of colorful flowers by the respective samithi members, serving as a testament to their deep devotion to the Lord. All participants were dressed in pristine white attire, and 16 sevadal, sevadal women, and youth actively participated in the procession. The bhajan troupe, seated in a specially arranged vehicle, rendered soulful bhajans, adding to the spiritual ambiance.
Sri A. Malleshwara Rao, the president of the Hyderabad district, inaugurated the celebrations. Following the palanquin procession, a melodious ensemble of Nadaswaram musicians filled the air with Divine music. Meanwhile, women from the Anantapur campus played the shankha (conch shell) and clarinet, while the peace flag was hoisted. As the peace flag fluttered in the breeze, the Sivam singers rendered the inspiring song, "Behold, the Sathya Sai flag, the flag of five religions is soaring high," and led the entire gathering in singing along. The district president then ceremonially unfurled the flag.
Subsequently, the president offered a Haarathi to the divine presence at the Sivam Mandir. The convenors of the 16 samithies also presented Haarathi to the palanquin carrying the divine form of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba varu, marking a successful culmination of the morning's events. 30 members from the Koti samithi participated and were blessed by the Lord's Divine grace.
Sri Kaleru Venkatesh inaugurated the Narayan Seva (service to humanity) program on the same day.
Key Highlights from the Telugu Text:
Visweswara Sastry
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