NEWSLETTER - Last Quarter 2023

Sai Ram Jai Maruthi Jai Maruthi! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and welcome to this quarter's newsletter!  Our last quarter of 2023 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 24th 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 November 12th, 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 Homam! Starting off on the 22nd morning, Vastu Pooja, Navagraha Pooja, and Ganapati Pooja, were performed. Ganapati Pooja, Go Pooja, and Baba Pooja were also performed on the rest of the function mornings as the preliminary poojas. The Dhwaja Aarohanam (ceremonial raising of the temple flag) took place in the evening, to mark the beginning of the function. Next, the priests did the Kalasa Sthapanam pooja and recited Chandi Parayanam in the hall. 

On the 23rd 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. Mahapurnahuti was then performed and afterwards, all devotees proceeded to move towards the hall. The Kalasha from the Chandi Pooja, was used to perform purokshanam to our beloved Gurumaa and to Baba. Next, Noon Aarti was performed, followed by Annadhanam. Annandhanam was performed on a daily basis after Noon Aarthi during the function, with an average of 300 to 400 people in attendance, daily!

The 24th started off with a morning full of music, and dance, and utter joy. The group from Panduranga Bhajana Mandali came and filled the air with the names of our dear Lord, through bhajan, dance, and music. This Divya Nama Sankeertanam filled the air with a feeling of devotion, festivity, and devotion. Our dear Gurumaa danced as well, with devotees surrounded, dancing alongside. The joy in the air was palpable to all! Later that evening, Pradosha Puja was performed at our Atma Lingam.

The next morning, on the 25th, began with Laksharchana. This 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. 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 26th marked the final day of our annual program. The morning started with Shivaabishekam while chanting the Rudram & Chamakam, all leading up to a Devi puja in the evening which was done while chanting Lalitha Sahasranama. Both the Shivaabhishekam and the Devi puja were performed for the Swayambu Shivashakti Lingam, which is worshipped only once a month during Poornimas.  

Following the evening Devi Puja, Padha Puja was performed for our dear Gurumaa, with many devotees in attendance. Next, 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 to all devotees! Finally, The Dhwaja Avarohanam (ceremonial lowering of the temple flag) took place, to signify the end of the function. 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! What a splendid end to our 2023 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 abhishekam for Baba.  At midnight, Maa did the Aarti for Baba and distributed the new 2024 calendars and sweets to everyone!

On the charitable front, SSDT by request of Government school authorities in Ponthavakkam and Teethancheri, has undertaken the construction of two toilet complexes (one for boys, one for girls). The construction has reached the roof level, and is expected to be completed by the end of January 2024. The estimated expenditure is approximately 10 lakhs, and will come under the “Donation-Education.” Before Diwali, a dry ration kit cosisting of 5 kg rice, one kg of sugar, toor dal, green gram dal, washing soap, and bathing soap, was donated to 50 sanitary workers in the Pagalmedu area. These kits costed approximately Rs. 650, per kit, and were distributed along with sweets. 

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 2024! 

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