Loving grace of Bhagawan is radiating in all directions just as Sun rays. All that we have to do is to keep open, lotus of our hearts to receive His Loving grace. That only ONE which is ever fresh and new, that only ONE which confers ultimate bliss, that only ONE, if obtained doesn’t demand for anything more, that ONE is Bhagwans LOVE. Chittoor devotees are fortunate to have received that love.
Abode of Kaliyuga God ,Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Chittoor district is blessed with spiritual fervour spread all over. Chittoor district is blessed on one side with Sri Venkateswara Swamis blessing hand , other side Kanipakam Vinayakas blessing glances and kind grace of Dakshina Kasi Sri Kalahasti Vayu Lingeswara. Echos of Govinda namas from Tirumala, heart touching panchakshari mantras from Srikalahasti, primeval sound OM vibrating everywhere from Kanipakam are attracting the devotees globally.Chittoor residents feel it their good fortune that they are at a place like Chittoor district which was referred in Vedas.
Though Chittoor district is considered as a backward district, it is rich spiritually.For this reason,may be this district was blessed several times with the Divine touch of Bhagwans Lotus Feet.
BHAGAWAN VISITS IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT
On January 23rd, 1946 Bhagawan visited the house of Sri. Paramartha Radhapathi, a sincere , honest first president of Tirupati Co-operative bank. Bhagawan stayed for 6 days in his house. Again in the year 1947, in the month of July, Bhagawan visited Kuppam. He stayed for few days with Sri.Vasanadu Radha Krishnaiah Shetty family. He visited their Sandalwood oil factory and surrounding places . Following year 1948, on 23rd February Bhagwan performed the marriage of Ms. Vijaya Kumari, daughter of Sri.V Radha Krishnaiah Shetty at Kuppam. That evening at the wedding reception,Bhagawan gave an enthralling concert by singing classical music.
1957 February 2nd ,was yet another special day in the annals of Chittoor district. Bhagawan delivered discourse at BMS Kannan High School, inaugurating BABA hall over there. The experience by the devotees on that day -
Quote - Loving God (Page 296) by Sri.N. Kasturi -
Bhagwans Eloquent speech,Bhagwans message, Bhagwans charming style of delivering the discourse has enthralled one and all. On that day while addressing the large gathering at football ground of the high school, delivery of words by Bhagawan was like a flow of serene Ganges river. The vibrations generated from the Divine words made some devotees spell bound, while some of them fell unconscious unable to bear the ripples of energy that was generated from Bhagwans divine words. They were carried and laid on beds .
‘When Divinity just loosens fist , hearts of devotees are not able to tolerate the vibration. Can you guess what would happen if Fist is opened completely ‘ asked Bhagwan, which has to be fondly remembered and recollected.
Same evening Bhagwan also addressed public gathering at BZ High school .
On July 14th, 1957 Bhagawan visited a village named Medikurthi and installed Shirdi Sai Idol at Ayodhya Ashram there.
Bhagwans visits and participation in Thyagaraja Aradhana Utsavam is a sweet reminiscence. Several times Bhagwan gave darshan, benedictory discourses. On July 17th, 1959 addressing the trust members of Sri Thyagaraja mandapam , Bhagawan sweetly admonished the idea to construct the mandapam with lottery money. He instructed them to construct the building with the money collected from donations.
July 11th, 1958 in another spectacular day with the visit of Bhagawan at Tirumala Hills accompanied by Sri. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao. Glancing steadily at Sri Lord Venkateswara, Bhagawan lovingly asked the priests and EO Sri.Anna Rao, “Lord is endowed with natural beauty. Does He need to be adorned with so many ornaments?’
December 13th, 1964 another pilgrimage place in Chittoor district, Sri Kalahasti was sanctified with divine touch of Lords Lotus Feet. Addressing the devotees of a training camp for Gram Seva at Kasagardens , Bhagwan said,” if you want to enhance services in villages, invite speakers who ignite devotion to God in the hearts of villages and love for fellow beings’.
During His visit to Vyasa Ashram founded by Malayalam Swami, in Yerpadu, Bhagawan said.” Every country has a charter with rules and responsibilities for citizens to follow. Similarly Sanatana Dharma is the charter for the entire Humanity to follow. Byhearting and repeating vedas is not correct. Vedas are to be followed. Bharat is known as Yoga Bhoomi ( land of spirituality), Thyaga Bhoomi (land of sacrifice). But now its becoming bhoga bhoomi ( land of pleasures). People are ignorantly leading lives of pleasure. Vimalaanada Ashram chief, stayed in Puttaparthi for a year. After the demise of Malayalam swami , Vimalananda became Chief of this ashram. He sought my blessings. I am here for that purpose.”
Bhagwans visits to Horsley Hills remain as fond memories to remember not only for His profound messages but also the loving moments He blessed His devotees with.
Starting from May 21st, 1958, for about a week Bhagwan was at Horsley Hills ,a cool destination place during summer. Bhagwan ignited the spiritual wick in the hearts of His devotees through His discourses and timely messages.
Once Bhagawan said He would visit a VIP bhakta. He went behind the abode He was residing , walked up to a bull, Lovingly addressed as Bangaru, and said, “ you served me a lot’. Materialised Vibhuti and smeared on His VIP bhaktas forehead.
1967 June 15th to 25th , Bhagawan was at horsley hills accompanied by Howard Murphet and his wife Iris.Bhagawan materialised nectar and personally poured into the mouths of villagers and all the devotees present there.
With nectarine reminiscences , Chittoor district is very fortunate to be blessed by Avatars Love - Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan.
SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT
Late Smt. Kathula Jayamma was the blessed instrument of Bhagawan to start and take forward, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi in Tirupathi.At the beginning KJKS school was the venue . Jayammagaru and her family contributed their services not only for Swamis Activities but also played a major role in the construction of Sri Sathya Sai Mandir at Tirupathi.
Late Sri. Sathyanarayana Shetty,late Dr. Raghunath Acharya,Late Velayudham Reddy Late Sri. Nagendranath, Late Dr. Chandrasekar,Late Dr.Lakshman Rao,Late Sri.Chengal Rao are the pioneers who rendered seva for the establishment of Sri Sathya Sai seva Organisations in Chittoor district. Dr. Late. Sri.Raghunatha Acharya was appreciated and was blessed by Bhagawan for organising veterinary camps successfully.They are always remembered by devotees in the establishment of SSSSO in this district.
Dr.KV.Subba Rao,Dr.S.Vasundhara,Dr.Shanthi Reddy,Sri. K. Bhaskar are still motivating encouraging new generation to take forward Seva activities to next level.
District President - Swamis chosen instrument
During the formative years of SSSSO at Chittoor, Sri.Sathya Narayana Shetty was requested to serve SSSSO as Chittoor DP. But Shetty garu backed out saying ‘ I have 100 jobs to attend.Its not possible for me’. To seek blessings of Bhagawan, a team of devotees,including Sri.Shetty garu went to Puttaparthi . In His discourse, Bhagawan said,’you will have 100 jobs. Render Swamis Seva as 101th job’.
Sri. Shetty garu got advise as well as Swami's blessings to serve Chittoor district as their 1st DP. Shetty garu, Smt.MS.Lakshamma served SSSSO for four generations.
With abundant blessings on Chittoor district in various ways, SSSSO thus started is now full-fledged. More in detail….
SRI SATHYA SAI MANDIRAM AT TIRUPATI
With permission and abundant blessings of Bhagawan, in the year 1983, Sri Sathya Sai Mandiram was constructed at Tirupathi. The unique feature of this mandiram is its appearance. Constructed in a spacious area, it is just a replica of Old mandiram of Prasanthi Nilayam. A large number of devotees are enjoying the spiritual bliss of various activities that are held in this mandir.
A JOURNEY INTO THE ACTIVITIES
Spiritual Activities - Nagar Sankirtan, Bhajans, study circles,celebration of festivals of all faiths
Seva Activities - Narayana Seva,Medical camps,service at Old Age homes, orphanages,physically challenged,Juvenile homes , Adoption of villages through SSSVIP program
Educational Activities - Bal Vikas, Vocational training in candle making, embroidery training, Veda chanting tutorials, Orientation on Value education at educational institutes, Competitions for students in fields of sports and arts.
On the concept , Imbibe - Inspire -Illumine a conference was held on 3.10.2010 for young adults . Talks by Prof.K.Anil Kumar remained as a special program to cherished by the youth wing of SSSSO.
13.10.2012 Value based symposium titled HEALING TOUCH was held for Nursing students by the youth wing of SSSSO.
Sri Sathya Sai School at Madanapalli with a strength of 270 students imparts regular academic education integrated with values.
Radio Sai Recording studio - In affiliation with Radio Sai Global Harmony, Prasanthi digital studio, on march 29th 2011, SAIVANI Digital studio was inaugurated by TTD EO Sri.LV.Subramanyam and presided by Andhra Pradesh State President Sri.SG.Chalam , State Radio Sai Team and Mirpuri College students . Studio recorded many programs like talks by eminent personalities, balavikas programs, musical concerts, interviews
Spiritually recharging with regular Parthi yatras and participating in various activities conducted by SSSSO , Chittoor district devotees are following Swamis message - YOUR LIVES SHOULD BE MY MESSAGE...making their lives as His message.
*** Jai Sairam