The Divine Stories: THE EARLIER DAYS – 5
Inauguration (Grahapravesam) of Padha Manidram
The first Mandir in Puttaparthi was opened on Friday December 14, 1945. You
are seeing here, the scanned copy of the Divine Invitation Card sent out by
Swami. I wonder which were the families who were most blessed and fortunate to
receive an Invitation from Bhagavan Himself.
The Grahapravesam (house warming) ceremony was the first major event in
Puttaparthi .
In 1944 Puttaparthi village, was a tiny hamlet of 2 lanes at right angles. Only
one or two families from Bangalore or Madras used come at a time to have
Darshan of Bala Sai. They resided at cattle sheds for a nominal rent of four
rupees per month. They spent all their time drinking the Nectar of Swami's
Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan.
Swami would be supervising the building work and the arrangements for the
inaugural function. The young men were involved in climbing up the ladders, and
hanging decorations and photos on the walls. Sometimes Swami Himself would
climb up. Some devotees had the privilege of offering orange juice to Swami
whenever He walked through the lanes.
Smt. Savithriamma and group from Bangalore prepared the feast on the inaugural
day. Thanks to Swami's touch, the contents multiplied and there would be
enough to feed the entire village and hundreds of devotees.
Swami arrived in procession, seated on a floral decoration with the idols of
two Sais on either sides. Swami installed the two idols in the main prayer hall
with large canvas paintings of both Babas and pictures of other deities. A
screen was used to cover the altar in the shrine, after daily Puja was over.
Swami Himself would perform the Puja. He would dust the pictures and clean and
decorate the idols. Swami would lead the Bhajan, followed by His sister
Venkamma and other devotees. The first song on that day was, "Sree Ganesha
Sivuni Kumara"
He would hit two coconuts against each other and sprinkle the water on all
present. He would perform Arathi to Himself and show it to all devotees.
Devotees would sing "Poojinthu Maa, mana Sayi nee..." and end with the Arathi
song "Paavana Purusha Saayeesa". Swami would give prasad - coconut scrapings
mixed with sugar. He used to sing "Sai Rama mana prasada midigo Randi
Bhakthularaaa" (Receive the Divine Prasad of our Sai Rama). He would grant
interview to everyone. There was no fixed time. As devotees arrived, they were
ushered in for interview.
Those days, reaching Parthi was a Herculean task. Every time devotees were
forced to take a new unknown route because of floods in Chitravathi River.
The Mandir had only 4 rooms. There were 5 kitchens in a row at the back. On the
inauguration day, Swami went to a corner and placed his Palm on the ground.
Soon a spring rose. It was fresh water. Swami ordered a well to be dug there.
This was the only source of drinking water for the entire village. Even in
summer, the water level remained the same. The devotees slept in the open space
with Swami's cot in the centre. His belongings were meagre, unlike His vast
heart.
In the coming instalments, we see various events in Padha Mandiram, which gave
joy and bliss to all those who were fortunate to be present there. –
With Love & Regards,
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