A Confluence of Seva and Bhakti at the Godavari Maha Pushkaram (Photos attached)
<http://www.ssso.net/pnews-2015/1.jpg> Sri Sathya Sai Organisation - Andhra Pradesh & Telangana In the Bharatiya tradition, rivers have always been revered as life sustaining Divine Mothers and sanctifying holy waters. Pushkaram is a traditional festival dedicated to the worship of rivers, especially of 12 that are considered worthy of special adoration. Each of these rivers is associated with a zodiac sign and depending on which zodiac sign the planet Jupiter is in that year, the corresponding river is worshipped. Thus, though Pushkaram is an annual festival, the worship of a particular river happens once in 12 years. While this is the festival that occurs once in 12 years, a Maha Pushkaram is celebrated once in 12 such cycles - which means it occurs once in 144 years. The Maha Pushkaram of the Godavari river (that originates in Maharashtra state and flows through the twin states of Andhra and Telangana before it merges into the Bay of Bengal) was celebrated this year 2015. The festivities that lasted 12 days from 14 to 25 July 2015 drew not less than 110 million pilgrims over all. The worship was offered at different ghats which are spread across the two states. This massive gathering and a celebration of this scale would definitely throw up innumerable opportunities of Seva, and as always the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation (SSSSO) stepped up to grab the opportunity and please Swami through their selfless service. This involved months of meticulous planning, and the aim was to deliver a wide range of service activities directed towards ensuring the convenience of the visiting pilgrims and help in enhancing their spiritual experience of participating in the Godavari Pushkaram. Sevadals from 17 districts participated in the Seva, and in all well over 7,000 sevadal, men and women, were on duty. To offer a perspective, the number of sevadal on duty in the whole of Prasanthi Nilayam (including the super speciality hospital) is generally much less than 2000. Marshalling this kind of a work force over a period of 12 days is clearly no mean achievement. But what was more commendable is the variety of areas in which assistance was offered to the pilgrims. First and foremost in such huge gatherings, the distribution of food and water becomes critical. Though the government does make arrangement for these, any contribution in this regard could be considered welcome and even quite necessary. Food distribution centres were set up at various places and the food was offered as prasadam. In all, over a lakh people were served each day. Food was distributed even to the pilgrims standing in queues to make it convenient for them. Apart from food, the Sevadal thoughtfully made arrangements for milk, which was offered to children and the aged. Another sight that became common for the pilgrims was that of men with blue scarfs carrying a backpack-water-can and moving about the crowd distributing water. 1,500 such water cans were procured for this event, and sevadal were quenching the thirst of the pilgrims, round the clock. Special attention was extended to the elderly and physically challenged who came to participate in the Pushkaram. Hundreds of wheelchairs were pressed into service and the Sai youth were enthusiastically wheeling these devotees all day long. Some of the Sevadal even positioned themselves at the ghats to help those infirm who wanted to take a holy dip. Apart from helping the elders, Sevadal trained in disaster management were positioned at various places to avert accidents of drowning occur while the pilgrims were taking their dip. Also the Sevadal were helping the authorities to keep the waters clean by removing flowers and other such offerings from time to time. Two mobile medical vans equipped with facilities like X-Ray, ECG, Oxygen Supply and Blood test lab were deployed to address medical emergencies. Doctors and paramedics were on duty at various Ghats at the time when they were opened for the pilgrims. Clearly, the organisation covered all areas in which they could help. Another thoughtful and essential service that the Organisation provided was that of setting up cloakroom facilities near the ghats, and the Rajahmundry and Godavari railway stations. This was much appreciated and was very helpful for the pilgrims, most of whom were making short visits. In addition, the sevadal members set up counters where devotees could even deposit their footwear for safekeeping. Apart from this, a number of cultural programmes too were arranged at the different ghats. Spiritual talks and cultural programmes by members of the organisation and Balvikas children were organised. Also, the Prema Jyoti exhibition that was blessed by Bhagawan in 2007 was set up at the Thyagaraja Kalakshetram, Rajahmundry. The Sri Sathya Sai Gurukulam school in Rajahmundry was abuzz with activities all through the event. It transformed into a centre for the seva activities in Rajahmundry, the town where four ghats where the Pushkaram festivities were being held were situated. Talks and cultural programmes too were organised at the Gurukulam. In all, the Sevadals performed commendable service at the following places: Pushkara, Markandeya, Gowthami and Saraswati Ghats in Rajahmundry. Annavaram Temple in East Godavari. Kovvuru, Narasapuram, Pattiseema and Siddhantham ghats in West Godavari district. Bhadrachalam in Khammam district and Kandakurthi in Nizamabad district. Basara, Mancherial and Gudem in Adilabad district and Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district. An activity of such scale needed enormous planning and we are sure these sevadals made Bhagawan very proud through their Seva. Such was the efficiency of the Sevadal that even the police began delegating works of crowd control and safety to these dedicated Sai servitors. We extend our hearty congratulations to every participant of this holy seva. Radio Sai Team Photos Updated..... <http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram/index.html> http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram/index.html Download Pdf File <http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram/A-Confluence-of-Seva-and-Bhakti-at-the-Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram.pdf> http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram/A-Confluence-of-Seva-and-Bhakti-at-the-Godavari-Maha-Pushkaram.pdf _____ The Adorable Cups of Cosmic Consciousness - Photos Gallery (Photos attached) The best way to describe the Cosmic Consciousness, the Bhagavad Gita says, is to know Him as “Akshara” meaning, the Imperishable One. Another name is Atma or Brahman. Just as ocean water can fill into a container of any shape or size, this Supreme Atma too fills itself into the beautiful cups of our imagination purely for our joy and bliss. Each cup is captivating because the Consciousness is the same. Photos Gallery link: <http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01AUG15/The-Adorable-Cups-of-Cosmic-Consciousness/> http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01AUG15/The-Adorable-Cups-of-Cosmic-Consciousness/ _____ GANESH CHATURTHI MORNING CELEBRATIONS Radio Sai added 14 new photos to the album: <https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.936271229795349.1073742381.181243118631501&type=3> GANESH CHATURTHI MORNING CELEBRATIONS Direct Link to the photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.936271229795349.1073742381.181243118631501 <https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.936271229795349.1073742381.181243118631501&type=3> &type=3 Radio Sai is pleased to bring you some glimpses of the Presentation of devotional Music and Dance by Bhagawan's Students f...rom SSSIHL held in Sai Kulwant Hall at Prasanthi Nilayam on September 17, 2015. For those who missed the morning programme could Log on to <http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiosai.org%2F&h=mAQE2hre3AQFAF-uVPNoqDQzO6se2_JbkLQmyOmfx8N0WcA&enc=AZNjbFGYHS5dqckr6LAj3YxOiqMa2nn_OaG286-q3c3Z0aM2ZaFpe9JA43-g9AaKp8y30UG2OZ9JAmncH-d6cq_JkgpapgiZXVqgnDytO_NtgxmPTYmQ6sYxNA7qB-wEO8gYADWrnYEy1t7r4Hn81duy0h7c3czPkpdqvYTyg0cal6qcnU9-LWJUvKj9xYlYKuI&s=1> www.radiosai.org or watch the special HD video webcast here in given link : <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6x9fxc1K0> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6x9fxc1K0> Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations - 17 Sep 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6x9fxc1K0 Radio Sai Team _____ GRAND & GLORIOUS GANESH CHATURTHI 2015 A special Radiosai facebook timeline cover for the auspicious occasion of Vinayak Chaturthi. <http://www.ssso.net/pnews-2015/GC2015.jpg> Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi i.e. the fourth day of Indian lunar month of Bhadrapada. It usually falls in the month of September in the English calendar. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God is usually worshiped before commencing any activity in... order to remove obstacles and ensure success of the Endeavour. He is also the bestowed of worldly intelligence and spiritual wisdom. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated throughout India with a great devotion. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesh is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. People bring idols of Lord Ganesh to their homes and do worship. The duration of this festival varies from 1 day to 11 days, depending on the place and tradition. On the last day of the festival the idols are taken out in a colourful and musical procession and immersed traditionally in water. Let us pray to Lord Vinayaka to bestow wisdom and divine knowledge upon all of us. Let this Ganesh Chaturthi bring Morality, Honesty, Spirituality in our daily life and may Ganapathi removes all the obstacles in the Spiritual Journey of our life. Radio Sai Team _____ Today’s Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 Why should we worship Ganesha and what are the benefits? Bhagawan clearly explains to us today. <http://www.ssso.net/pnews-2015/SI170915.jpg> Easwara blessed Ganapathi saying, “I have many attributes, but not Your intelligence. Hence, before offering worship to Me, let all people worship You. This is the boon I confer on You.” Easwara is a parent who conferred such an honour of a higher status than His own on His son. Hence Ganapathi represents no commonplace principle. He is the embodiment of all potencies. He is the abode of every kind of intelligence. Nothing untoward can happen wherever He is present. Ganapathi occupies the position of one who is the source of all prosperity. Moreover, when He is invoked before any undertaking, there will be no impediments to its completion. People look upon the Vighneswara festival as some routine affair. But Vighneswara embodies all the forms and all the powers of all the deities. It is not enough to worship Him once a year. We must worship Him always. - Divine Discourse, 25-Aug-1998. Transform work into worship, and worship into wisdom. -BABA. Read the full discourse here: <http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sssbpt.info%2Fssspeaks%2Fvolume31%2Fsss31-27.pdf&h=SAQGHVCVtAQHtUcTJFgrswKAwrAyvKbIwJaq-p44vcPXMVw&enc=AZNp1Psj6SxdiVMiLyTj7tiwKA3dp8-7dKWllOpY_iHIVX4AyUL3BOeQtil7WU95EhOoG2I5cLyN9JO_zvL7XnHRc4n2GMG7pAVsE4liWjIiQLjPJ5dwfHexjHu4sNO_CiAv8bVvyw4zMFDBfGcPzskXXh1ewpraLmM298dkbFJkgxPArbxbcTdulEtNt3gjpdo&s=1> http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-27.pdf Get 'Thought for the day' in your email every day. 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Here is the complete schedule for tomorrow's Thursday Live programme – September 17, 2015 <http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/17_09_2015_schedule.htm> http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_13/01SEPT15/17_09_2015_schedule.htm Here is the link to Tune in and Listen to the Live Programmes. <http://media.radiosai.org/www/asia.html> http://media.radiosai.org/www/asia.html Radio Sai will provide these various segments as downloadable files soon for those who could not listen Live and for those who wish to listen the programmes again. Radiosai Team -- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "saimsg" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
