NEWSLETTER - Last Quarter 2021

            Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and welcome to this quarter's newsletter!  Our last quarter of 2021 was filled with many exciting events, from Navaratri, Deepavali, Kartigai Deepam, Christmas, Homi Baba's birthday and the Brahmotsavam Program in December.

            Our quarter began with Navaratri, and was celebrated by performing a Kali puja on each day. Usually Kali in most parts of India is feared for her ferocious nature, but here in the ashram she expresses her all powerful, yet divine motherly love to all who take her darshan. There was a special puja that was performed each day during which portions of Chandi Parayanam were recited everyday, and daily rendering of Sri Lalitha Sahasranama. A different variety of sundal was made for offering, on all 9 days! We were overwhelmed by Mother Kali’s divine grace and presence!

            On the ninth day of Navaratri, ‘Navami,’ Saraswati Puja was done in the morning along with carrying out all the customs followed by all students. Usually on this day, students keep their books in front of Goddess Saraswati during the puja. And on the following morning on Vijayadashami, students read one or two lines from those same books following the Punar Puja, seeking the blessings of Saraswati for a promising year in their academics.

            Every Navaratri is more special for Sai devotees because it culminates with Baba’s Mahasamadhi Day, which falls on Vijayadashami-which this year, fell on October 15^th which is also the day that Shirdi Baba actually took Mahasamadhi, in 1918. On this day, our Gurumaa and all the devotees present, did a special abhishek for Shirdi Baba! Bhajans were also sung to commemorate this auspicious day and to honor and worship our beloved Shirdi Sai Baba. Vijayadashami is the day that our dear Shri Shirdi Sai Baba left his mortal coil to merge with the cosmic universe.  Though Baba is omnipresent, Vijaydashami is the single most celebrated day of the year to receive the grace and worship our Sai Baba. On Dashami, we also performed Ayudha Puja, which in simple terms, means “worship of instruments.” On this day, all the tools that are used on a daily basis are worshipped. All the tools and instruments used by the staff in the ashram and in the annadhanam hall, were worshipped. This included the worship of our pots and pans, utensils, the car, lawnmower, and so many other items that are used for daily living.

            Next, Deepavali fell on November 4th, during which the entire ashram and temple were magnificently lit up with lamps, similar to the way that Baba would decorate Dwarakamai with oil lamps every day. Following Deepavali, was Kartigai Deepam on November 19th. Here in our ashram the entire temple, prayer hall, and ashram were lit with hundreds of lamps! It was a beautiful sight to witness!

            The next celebration fell on December 8th! Our 10 puppies turned one year old! We celebrated their big day with cakes, for the all the dogs, and for all those who attended as well. It was a fun-filled celebration filled with joy, balloons, cake, and lots of barking-the perfect way to celebrate our 10 puppies and their mother, Rakshika!

            The next few events of the year included Christmas and Homi Baba’s birthday!Christmas, as always was celebrated with lots of festivity. Abhishek was done in the morning for Infant Jesus, followed by a celebration in the evening, when all devotees, children and adults alike participated.  The decorations included lights, ornaments, a Christmas Tree, a dancing Santa, along with candles, which were lit by everyone in the ashram while singing Christmas carols. We celebrated by distributing a special barfi-of which the recipe itself was gives by Maa herself, and another homemade cake, to all those who attended!

December 26th brought Homi Baba's birthday, which as we all know, is also a huge celebration in the ashram. There was a special abhishek done for Homi Baba in the morning. To mark the joyous event, Homi Baba’s sannadhi was elegantly decorated. A special puja was performed by Maa after which she led everyone with Homi Baba’s prayer and bhajans full of love for and devotion for our beloved Paramaguru. Maa then cut a special Pineapple Vanilla cake which was then distributed along with chocolate, and sweets to all devotees! The 26th evening marked the beginning of our December function, starting with the Dhwaja Aarohanam. All devotees gathered at the Dhwajastambam, and after a preliminary pooja, with Maa’s and Baba’s blessings, the ceremonial temple flag was hoisted-marking the beginning of this year’s annual function.

            The next morning, started with Ganapthy Pooja, Go Pooja, and Baba Pooja as the preliminary poojas-all led and performed by devotees for the entirety of the function,- followed by Ganapathy Homam and Navagraha Homam. In the afternoon, Rudra Japam was chanted 11 times at the Atma Lingam in front of our Main Hall, culminating with Rudra Mahabishekam, performed, to the Gopura Lingam, atop our temple, all while praying to Lord Shiva to give us clarity, provide protection, and happiness. Following this, Sudarshana Mantra Japam was chanted. The Sudarshana Chakra, is the most powerful weapon of Lord Vishnu’s and the Mantra is chanted to pray to Lord Sudarshana to create a kavacham of protection around those who chant the mantra, and the surrounding area; creating a force-field of divine and peaceful energy. Next, Baba’s Rathotsavam began, starting the evening with music, dance, and utter joy! Maa performed a preliminary pooja to Baba, and then the Nadaswaram and Thavil musicians lead us with bhajans which filled the air with zest and fervor. Devotees fanned Baba with chamaras, pulled Baba’s chariot, and our dear Maa danced with several devotees, enhancing the positivity and joy in the air!

            On the 28th morning, the preliminary poojas were again performed, followed by Rudra Homam, Mrutyunjaya Homam, and Sudarshana Homam. Rudra Homam was performed to invoke Lord Shiva to remove the ignorance within us, provide protection to us and our surroundings, and to bless us with happiness and positivity. While the Homam was being performed, Rudram Chamakam was chanted by those in attendance. Mrutyunajya Homam was performed, to invoke Lord Shiva to bless us with longevity, healing, and to ward off any calamities in our paths. Finally, Sudarshana Homam was performed, as mentioned before, to pray for our well-being, safety, and for the protection of all our surroundings. Afterwards, in the evening, Dhanvantari Mantra Japam was chanted to pray to Lord Dhanvantari for inner healing and good health. The next day on the 29th, following the preliminary poojas, Dhanvantari Homam was performed, to invoke Lord Dhanvantari to bless us with healing, health, and positivity. Later that afternoon, Sakala Devata Gayatri Mantra Japam was chanted. Each of the Gayatri mantras that was chanted were of the deities in our temple, and were chanted 11 times each. In the evening, both on the 28th and 29th, the Rathotsavam took place; the tangible energy lingered in the air long after it ended on the 29th evening!

            On the 30th, following the preliminary poojas, Sakala Devata Gayatri Homam was performed; invoking all the deities of our temple to bless us with good health, happiness, prosperity, and fortune! This marked the culmination of the Brahmotsavam. That evening, to celebrate a wonderful function, an exhilarating performance of Nadaswaram and Thavil took place.All in attendance were absolutely awestruck and mesmerized by the talented group of artistes! The Dhwaja Avarohanam (ceremonial lowering of the temple flag) also took place in the evening, to mark the end of the function.

            As the year wrapped up, the last major event of our year was our annual New Year’s Eve celebration. On New Year's Eve, devotees gathered in the hall close to midnight to wish Baba, a happy new year. As usual, everyone was blessed with the opportunity to do abhishek for Baba.  At midnight, Maa did the Aarti for Baba and distributed the new 2022 calendars and chocolates to everyone!

            On the charitable front, SSDT has been donating on average 35,000 rupees worth of groceries, per week, to people in surrounding villages, since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Each week, when our ashram annadhanam would usually be taking place, volunteers from SSDT, distribute packages of groceries which include rice, oil, 2 types of dal, sugar, soap, and jaggery. These groceries are distributed to approximately 50 families each week!

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            Sri Sai Darshan and our ashram family, suffered an irreparable loss this past quarter. SSDT’s first Go Maatha, Sai Ganga, who came and blessed our ashram in 1999, attained moksha on October 21st. She was a mother to all in the Goshala, to all the devotees who visited our ashram, and to all of humanity. With Baba’s grace, Sai Ganga didn’t suffer in her last moments, and passed away silently. Sai Ganga left a profound mark on all of us and our hearts, and the void without her, can be felt strongly. May we always remember her for her sweet disposition, playfulness, and unconditional love for all those around her. Sai Ganga is buried next to Mickey and Lily in the ashram, across from the main verandah where Maa sits.

            Though these past couple of years have left us with good moments but also feeling dark and uncertain so many times, we must look past and be grateful to Maa and Baba for their ever-present guidance, blessings, and grace, and for continuously showing us that there is in fact always light even in the darkest times. We must be positive, spread love, and be open to receiving love, and adapt our lifestyles to the changes that come- to ensure good health. As our SSDT family starts a new year and a new quarter, may we pray for good health, strength, positivity, and love among all!

            As mentioned in the previous newsletters, the precautions and instructions given by Maa are to be followed strictly on a daily basis. Though the Likhita Japam books have been collected, Maa has instructed us to keep writing on a daily basis, to continue to give us inner strength, healing, and detoxification.

            As always, it goes without saying that the Poornima puja, Pradosham puja,  are taking place without fail. As of early September of 2020, Sri Sai Darshan Trust, opened up the temple to the public only on Thursdays. All preventative and safety measures have been implemented and are being strictly enforced. As Annadhanam cannot take place in the ashram, as explained above, packaged groceries are being distributed to people in surrounding villages, by SSDT. We thank you, all devotees and well-wishers, for your continuous support. Here’s to a wonderful quarter and year filled with love, happiness, and good health!

Welcome to 2022! 

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