A visit to Puta Parthi was in our plan for the past 3 months. Somehow it was getting delayed .Because we don’t know anything about Parthi.It was during the end of the first week of December 2009.

I made a call to Sundaram Chennai to get some details on how to get there etc . People at Sundaram were kind enough to give me all the required details.  They told us about the Prasanthi Express that goes to the Ashram from Chennai directly.  Other option is to get to Bangalore; from there you have buses and trains to the Ashram.

We enquired on a Wednesday and the week end trains are all booked. We never wanted to postpone the trip. We got a flight to Bangalore.  From there we took a taxi to Puta Parthi. Eventhough it works out to be an expensive affair, all we had in our minds is “ Swami’s Darshan”.

From the Bangalore city the drive took us about 3.5 hours, all the way in the national highway and the it gets into a narrowed, tough route for an hour.

On the way ,we could get a glimpse of a few dried up, under developed villages and then then we are on tha winding path with the rocky landscape.  We took a left and wow suddenly we could realize the landscape changing into plain and big power projects and Sai organization buildings. The very glimpse of it made us realize that we are entering Puta Parthi.

Alll the way we could see some nice  architectures  of Sai educational institutions. Finally we eneded up in front of the huge gates of Prasanthi Nilayam .

We stepped into the Ashram to get some info and we came to know that already the queue is forming for the 5 o’ clock dharshan . Time was around 2 noon.

We literally ran and checked into a nearby hotel , refreshed and came back in a jiffy and we could see a long line with multiple rows forming out of the Huuuugge Hall .

Men and Women are separated and since we are first timers myself and my husband didn’t even talk about where to meet after dharshan etc.  After seeing the huge crowd, I couldn’t stop thinking about it .

Then I went and joined the Ladies queue on the other side. Waiting outside the hall. You are allowed to have a small purse inside the hall. If you have huge bags and other stuff you need to give it in the counter and get the token. Mobiles are not allowed.

After waiting for an hour outside, they started letting people in , through a random row numbers picked by the front row people .  Once you get inside, I can see that no row number is followed. People run here and there to occupy the closest row near the Mandap where swami will be seated .

I went patiently and sat in my row which is the 6th row.  The ladies in scarf handled the crowd well and I can see the whole hall was full of people in just 10 mins .

At 4 pm , the rudra chanting was started and went for an hour.  Even during that Icould really see some not-so disciplinary actions of people changing rows , reserving seats and chit chatting .

Lot of foreign people were seen meditating and holding Mudras through out the session.

At 4pm they started chanting Rudras. After  an hour sharp at 5 , there was a hustle –bustle. A few started hushing Swami is coming . All 3000 eyes were towards the entrance . Sudenly all the chandliers started to spit light . The whole scene changed. I could see swam in in the chair at the entrance coming inside the the huge hall. It was so divine . You need to experience this at least once in life.  Even though am seeing swami from the 6 th row , the tejas was extraordinary . I prayed to swami “please turn this side and have a look at me “ and Yes ,I felt he did .  He was going towards the Alter in the middle of the hall.

All swami’s close associates were occupying the dias. He was at the centre. Suddenly the Bhajans started.

Without my knowledge I felt carried away by the bajans. If gives you so much of positive energy and I could feel the positive vibes inside me .

Swami was enjoying the bhajans and expressing it by raising his hands a couple of times .

After 45 minutes , the Maha Arathi was performed. The best time to cry out your worries and pray. I did pray for lot ofthings and am sure swami will answer all my prayers. After talking to couple of people in the dias he was on his way out .

It seemed everything came to an end suddenly. You can feel the void once he left . Along with the crowd I came out. Everywhere I heard Sai , Sai ……

I felt a lot more peaceful and calm inside me , preparing my mind to face the challenges in the real world .

This time I was confident because I truly believe baba is there with me,  Always.

Sai Ram .

K. Vidya