WHEN RAMA VISITED AYODHYA IN KALI YUGA…
Lord Sai Rama with Lakshmana and Hanuman
(symbolically standing exactly in front of the idols of Lord Rama and
Mother Sita)
Thursday March 23, 1961 to Saturday, April 08, 1961
Swami’s visit to Ayodhya and Varanasi via Madras
Swami visited Sri Sathya Sai Samaj, Perambur (Madras) on its fourth annual day
which fell on 23rd March, 1961. He blessed the devotees with His Divine
Discourse at the Perambur Railway Institute Stadium. Dr. B. Ramakrishna Rao,
Governor of Uttar Pradesh, also addressed the devotees. On Sri Rama Navami day,
the Telugu Edition of ‘Sathyam Shivam Sundaram’, and the English version of
‘Dhyana Vahini’ were dedicated at Swami’s lotus feet at Santhi Kutir. Dr. B.
Ramakrishna Rao presided over this celebration as well. Swami, in His
Discourse, elaborated on the philosophical meaning of the Ramayana.
Governor's Residence (Raj Bhavan)
at Lucknow
On 26th, Swami left for Lucknow along with the dignitaries in a specially
chartered plane. Swami stayed in the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s residence) and
blessed the devotees with His daily Darshan. On 30th, the Andhra, Kannada,
Tamil and Kerala Sanghas jointly arranged a welcome function for Swami at the
town hall. Swami addressed those gathered on this occasion.
Banks of the River Sarayu at Ayodhya
Swami and His entourage of dignitaries proceeded to Ayodhya on 1st April. Swami
pointed out to the devotees the various spots sanctified by their association
with the Ramayana. He said that the people there were suffused with Bhakti, for
He said that He could hear the unceasing ‘Rama Naama Japam’ emerging from their
hearts. Swami blessed all the devotees at the banks of the river Sarayu.
The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The party reached Saranath on the same night and visited the Vishwanath temple
at around 11.00 am the subsequent morning. Inside the shrine, Swami
materialised Vibhuti and sandal paste and applied them on the Linga. He then
created a priceless jewel and placed it on the Linga Mukha. He blessed each
devotee with the holy water of the Ganga.
Prior to the Vishwanath temple visit, Swami led the party to a Hanuman temple
on the banks of the river Sarayu. Legend has it that this land was awarded to
Hanuman by Lord Sri Ram so that he may establish there in a kingdom ever
resonant with the ‘Rama Nama’.
Goddess Annapurna
at the Annapurna Temple, Varanasi
The party then proceeded to Annapurna temple, Birla Vishwanath temple and the
Benaras University Campus. Swami returned to Allahabad on 2nd April night.
Swami visited the Triveni Sangam along with the devotees on the 3rd. Swami then
led His party to the Hanuman temple, the Akshaya Vata and the Saraswati Kupa.
Swami sent His party back to Lucknow by car. Swami and the dignitaries
travelled to Lucknow by train. Swami sent His party back to Madras and stayed
on at Raj Bhavan for one more day. On that day, He met General Thimmaiah and
other top ranking officials of the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
Swami left for Madras on 5th April. On the 6th, He inaugurated the Tyagaraja
festival at Tirupati. He returned to Prashanti Nilayam on the 8th. Swami
blessed each devotee with Ganga water on the 13th.
Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijiyam Part 1 (1926 to 1985)
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