NEWSLETTER - Last Quarter 2022

Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and welcome to this quarter's newsletter!  Our last quarter of 2022 was filled with many exciting events, from Navaratri, Vijyadasami, Deepavali, Kartigai Deepam, Christmas, Homi Baba's birthday and the our annual December function. 

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, Sri Lalitha Sahasranama was recited. A different variety of sundal and sweet 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. This year, Vijayadashami fell on on October 5th 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 abhishekam 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 October 24th, 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 December 6th. 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 final main event of this quarter was this year’s December function-the Sri Chandi Mahayaaga! Starting off on the 23rd, preliminary poojas-Vaastu, Kshetrapala, Yogini, and Matrika poojas were performed in our yaagashala, preceding the main poojas. 

The next morning on the 24th, started with Ganapati Pooja, Go Pooja, and Baba Pooja, which were also performed on the rest of the function mornings as the preliminary poojas. Ganapati and Navagraha Homams were performed later in the 24th morning. That evening, Baba’s chariot was brought to the temple and positioned at the Dhwajastambam. All devotees gathered at the Dhwajastambam for the Dhwaja Aarohanam. The ceremonial temple flag was kept on Baba’s padukas and were worshipped, before the flag was finally hoisted with Maa’s and Baba’s blessings-marking the beginning of this year’s annual function. Next, the priests did the Kalasa Sthapanam pooja and recited Chandi Parayanam in the hall. Later that evening, Christmas was celebrated with lots of festivity. Abhishekam 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 grand Christmas Tree near the verandah, a dancing Santa, along with candles, which were lit while singing Christmas carols. We celebrated by distributing cake to all those who attended! 

The next day began with Rudra Japam, Abhishkam, and Homam. Sri Rudra Japam was chanted 11 times in the main hall, while simultaneously, Rudra Mahabishekam was performed to the Atma Lingam by devotees, with the offering of the 11 auspicious dravyams. This was all followed by Sri Rudra Homam in our yaagashala, culminating in the final Mahapurnahuti offering, which was skillfully draped in the form of a Shiva Lingam, and offered into the homam. The events took place, all while praying to Lord Shiva to give us clarity, provide protection, and happiness to one and all. 

Later that evening, Chandi Parayanam was recited, and following that, Baba’s Rathotsavam took place, with Veda Chanting and bhajans! While the procession took place, the priests chanted Veda Mantras (portions from all four Vedas), and behind Baba’s chariot, all devotees sang bhajans with utmost devotion. The highly charged energy was tangible in the air! 

On the 26th morning, the main event of our function took place-Sri Chandi Mahayaaga. Chandi Homam is significant of Chandi and her protective nature of all Her children. We prayed to Her to bless us all with the following qualities: Shraddha, Medha, Yasha, Pragyna, Vidya, Buddhi, Shriyam, Balam, Tejaha, Aarogyam. The Mahapurnahuti offered, was 3 feet tall, and beautifully draped with a blue silken saree. After the Purnahuti, Ghanapatha was recited in the yaagashala. Afterwards, all devotees proceeded to move towards the hall, and the Kalasha from the Chandi Pooja, was used to perform abhishekam to our beloved Gurumaa. That evening, Homi Baba's birthday, was celebrated in Homi Baba’s sannadhi with everyone in attendance. There was a special abhishekam done for Homi Baba in the morning. 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 chocolate cake which was distributed along with sweets to all devotees! Then, Baba’s Rathotsavam began again, starting the evening with music, dance, and utter joy! A preliminary pooja was performed for Baba, and then the Nadaswaram group lead us with bhajans, which filled the air with zest and fervor. All devotees were lead by Maa, behind the chariot around the temple, 3 times. 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!

The next morning on the 27th, Laksharchana was performed in the main hall. Laksharchana denotes the chanting of the mantra, “Om Shri Sai Nathaya Namaha,” 100,000 times-divided by 100 devotees, equaling 1000 recitations per devotee. This was followed by a Padha Pooja which was performed for our dear Gurumaa, with hundreds of devotees in attendance. 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. Annandhanam was performed on a daily basis during the function with an average of 300 to 400 people in attendance, daily!

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 abhishekam for Baba.  At midnight, Maa did the Aarti for Baba and distributed the new 2023 calendars and sweets to everyone!

On the charitable front, SSDT donated new clothes and sweets to school children in the surrounding villages on occasion of Deepavali. As always, it goes without saying that the Poornima puja, Pradosham puja, and Thursday annadhanam are taking place without fail. 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 2023! 

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