NEWSLETTER - 1st Quarter 2026

    Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi! Welcome dear Sai brothers and sisters to the first quarter newsletter of the year. Filled with exciting and fun events starting with Pongal all the way to the splendor of Maa’s Jayanti celebrations, this quarter was busy and full of celebration and pure happiness!

    The first day of Pongal fell on January 14 this year, during which people all over Tamil Nadu decorate earthen pots and prepare pongal (a South Indian kichadi) in celebration of the new year’s harvest. Day 2 of the Pongal celebration fell on January 15th and is known as “Mattu Pongal.” On this day, the mattu (cows) are worshipped and celebrated. The main event of course, was the outdoor cookout. Our Gurumaa sat under a tree, just outside the Goshala, and with an old fashioned pot placed atop bricks and logs for fuel, Maa cooked an irresistible, mouth-watering “Chakkarai Pongal (sweet pongal).” We distributed dry ration kits comprising of rice, 1 kg each of sugar, lentils, cooking oil, and a small quantity of ghee, bedsheets, as well as a set of soap for bathing and washing clothes to 54 sanitation workers in surrounding villages.

    Shivaratri fell on February 15th this year. We all joined together to worship Lord Shiva at our “Atma Lingam,” the shrine dedicated to Him. The pooja was done with milk, curd, honey, ghee, panchamritham, pancha gavyam, lemon juice, chandan, tender coconut, vibhuti, and sugarcane juice. All those who attended, kept vigil and a fast and participated in performing a “chaturkal” pooja (pooja done four times throughout the night), at 6 PM, 9 PM, 12 AM, and 3 AM. Rudrabishekam and Pooja were performed 4 times throughout the night as well.

    February 26th was a very special day for everyone. It marked Sri Sai Darshan Trust’s 30th year in service to Baba. We distributed dry ration kits comprising of rice, general dry provisions, as well as a set of soap for bathing and washing clothes to 57 sanitation workers in surrounding villages. The workers were overwhelmed by our gesture and expressed their gratitude during the distribution. This day was a wonderful reminder and ode to the root reason for why this trust was founded - to serve those in need. Congratulations to all the devotees on completing 30 years!

    March 26th was Ram Navami and was celebrated with a special pushpa alankaram at Ram Darbar. Neermor and panakam were offered as naivyedyam. The devotees chanted mantras and bhajans dedicated to Rama.

    Maa’s calendar birthday was celebrated over the course of 3 days. On the 29th of March, we had the beautiful blessing of consecrating Murugan in the Siddha Sannadhi as Aatchi Tharum Murugan. This name reflects Murugan as the one who rules and grants true power — not just outwardly, but within us. The Namakarna was performed in alignment with the sacred Skanda Shashti Kavacham. As the son of Shiva, Murugan has been placed symmetrically opposite Ganesha within the sannadhi, creating a sense of balance and harmony in the space.The Pranaprathishta was especially meaningful, as the Murugan idol installed here comes from Maa’s pooja room—bringing with it years of devotion into its new home in the Siddha Sannadhi. On the morning of the 30th, we performed a Ganapathi Homam along with a Balamurugan Homam. This was followed by japam using Murugan’s Moola Mantra, “Souh: Sharavana Bhava.” All the rituals were conducted under the guidance of Swami Gyanananda Natha Theertha. On the 30th evening, priests recited Chandi Parayanam. The next day, on the 31st, we performed Ganapati Pooja, followed by Chandi Homam. Following the Purnahuti, all the devotees gathered in the hall to witness Guru Padha Pooja performed for Maa. Noon aarthi and annadhanam followed. Maa’s birthday, was a special reminder of who Maa is to us all of us-our Guru, our teacher, and our mother. Maa teaches us and reminds us daily, to lead our lives with a positive, confident, and kind mindset; with hearts full of love and dedicated to serving those in need. May we all, as devotees, work to imbibe these qualities and strive to spread the same love and happiness to others, as Maa does for us, each moment of every day. May Baba’s and Maa’s blessings and grace be ever-present in continuing our lives with the lessons Maa has taught us.

    As always, our monthly Chandi Homam, Pournami Puja, Pradosham Puja, and Thursday Annadhanam continue without fail. We thank all devotees and well-wishers for your continuous support.

May Baba’s grace and Maa’s blessings be showered on us all.