Newsletter – 3rd Quarter 2024
Dear Sai Brothers and Sisters, Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi!
We hope this past quarter has been full of happiness and good health! Here in the ashram, this quarter has been busy with functions and festivals, beginning with the Mahakumabhishekam of our Atma Lingam.
July started off with Atma Lingam Pratishta Mahakumbabhishekam performed by priests. Prior to this program, in June, we decided to renovate the Atma Lingam sannadhi by increasing the height of the Atma Lingam. In order to do this, the Atma Lingam was removed, the energy being transferred to a Kalakarshanam (a 2D image made of wood, of the Shiva Lingam, Nandi, and Bali Peedam) which was kept in the altar for the three weeks prior to the Pratishta and Mahakumbabhishekam. During these three weeks, a Shodasho Upachara puja was performed to the Kalakarhsnaam, to further charge and maintain the energy of the Atma Lingam within the Kalakarshanam. The devotees were requested to chant “Om Nama Shivaya” during this pooja. During these three weeks the shrine was raised and reconstructed.
On the 11th of July, the Ganapathy Punyahavachanam, Kalasha pujas were performed as the preliminary poojas. We also performed Yantra Pratishta and Ashtabandhanam (sealing of the Atma lingam to the base). On the 12th, all preliminary poojas were performed as well as Mahamrutyunajaya Homam followed by Purnahuti. Afterwards, the kalashas that were worshipped during the poojas, were then used to perform Mahakumbabhishekam to the shivalangam, after the homam. The energy radiated throughout the whole temple and ashram! Guru Poornima fell on the 21st. The morning began with Shivaabishekam while chanting the Rudram & Chamakam, all leading up to a Devi pooja in the evening which was done while chanting Lalitha Sahasranama. Both the Shivaabhishekam and the Devi pooja are usually performed for the Swayambu Shivashakti Lingam, which is worshipped only once a month during Poornima. In between, during the day, Vyasa pooja was performed as is the tradition which is followed in all ashrams in which all Gurus from all paramparas are invoked. Next, different varieties of prasadam from the ashram as well as the annadhanam were collected in a big basin and kept in Dwarakamai. Our beloved Maa, stirred and mixed the prasadam herself, surrounded by all devotees, and offered it to Baba. After noon Aarti, Maa herself sat in front of Gurusthan, and distributed prasadam to each devotee in attendance. This practice dates back to Shirdi Baba’s time when Baba collected all the food that He received from people, in a vessel and kept it in Dwarakamai. Baba Himself would mix all the food in the vessel, by hand, and then proceed to distribute this prasadam to one and all. This special addition to our Guru Poornima celebration is an ode to Baba’s own practices, during His days in Shirdi. Continuing another annual tradition, the bag of rice was changed symbolizing great abundance. As always, we made our Guru Poornima function complete by performing the Padha Pooja for our dear Maa. The day was full of earnestness and devotion!
August festivities started off on the 26th, when we celebrated Janmashtami, which marks the day of Lord Krishna’s birth, with lots of joy, as always. Janmashtami was celebrated by praying and chanting various shlokas, while delicious prasadams were offered to Lord Krishna at the Panduranga shrine. Shodasho Upachara puja was also performed for Rukmini and Panduranga. The 26th also marked the 45th day, or the final day of the Mandala puja, of the Atma Lingam Kumbabhishekam. Maa herself performed abhishekam to the Atma Lingam. The day was full of love and joy!
Then on September 7th, we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. In our ashram, we performed an abhishekam to all the 9 Ganapathis, in the temple and ashram, and offered lots of arugampul (grass) to Lord Ganesha. Prasadam was offered to Lord Ganesha at the Vijaya Ganapathi Meenkashi temple in the ashram. A clay Ganesha was handmade and worshipped along with Vijaya Ganapathi.
On the 3rd day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Maa performed the final puja to the clay Ganesha, before all the devotees went in procession to carry Ganesha to the Nagamma pond for Visarjanam.
On the charity front, SSDT donated stationery items to 540 underprivileged students studying in 13 government schools. Students from LKG to Class VIII were given extra notebooks along with their stationery supplies, according to their specific requirements of their class. We also funded tuition fees for a college student for their BBA Human Resources course. SSDT also donated 1 lakh rupees to the Cancer Institute (Chennai) for patient care, as well as 1 lakh to Arvind Eye Hospital (Chennai) for the treatment of the visually impaired. SSDT has constructed bathrooms for children in 3 government schools, aiming to help school children, especially girls, with basic hygiene. With Baba’s grace we are blessed to be involved in supporting these noble causes.
As we look forward to this next quarter, upcoming events include Navaratri from October 3rd to 11th, Shirdi Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi Day and Vijayadashami on October 12th, Deepavali, Kartigai Deepam, and our annual December function. The December function will be held between the 24th and 27th. More details regarding the December function will be communicated to all. As always, our regular monthly projects continue-weekly annadhanam, Purnima Puja, and Pradosham Puja.
We look forward to lots of love, happiness, and festivities in the upcoming quarters.
May Baba’s grace and Maa’s blessings be showered on us all. Jai Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi!
