Day 230 of Indian places giving smiles – the abode of Satya Sai Baba -Puttaparthi
I have been a very staunch believer and receiver of many miracles in my life, ever since I became devoted to the simple saint from Shirdi called Sai Baba. It is said that after his death, his reincarnated version was born at another village in Andhra Pradesh. This child grew up and attained a not so simple status as the famous saint Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi.
I knew that Satya Sai Baba had a huge devotee following, yet I did not consider myself to be one of them. I had heard mixed stories about this saint, about his many miracles and also about the controversies that follow his name. However many of my close friends were his devotees and out of curiosity I joined eight of them on a pilgrim trip to Puttaparthi in 2000.
The first sight that greeted me here was a huge statue of Shirdi Saibaba. This was probably his way of asking me to keep remembering him and surrender any of my pre-conceived prejudices. With this open mind I visited what I may call our first sight seeing spot – the Super Speciality Hospital. The facade and the size of the hospital building with its many domes itself was a visual delight.
But what really impressed me was my conversation with a person who was sweeping the place. He looked very distinguished compared to my prejudiced mental image of a sweeper. He told me that he was just one among hundreds of volunteers who had come to do this kind of service for one whole month from a faraway state. Every month some devotees from a local Saibaba association are chosen from all over India, to do ‘seva’ at Puttaparthi. Every month a different state across India is chosen to send volunteers to this village.
I was amazed at the ability of just one person to create so much, just out of nothing. Puttaparthi no longer looked like the village that it once was. We saw many magnificent structures on the way and all of them were associated with Satya Sai Baba in some way or the other. We drove past the Impressive looking University buildings, the other educational buildings, the higher education schools, the hostels, the Games complex, the planetarium all in the name of Satya Saibaba! World class education combined with ancient Indian principles are given in these educational institutes where it is compulsory for every student to be in -house residents.
We also went to the Eternal Heritage museum which continues to propagate this idea of oneness even though we may belong to different religions. From the top of the hill we could get a birds eye view of Puttaparthi with its many more buildings like stadium, planetarium, etc. We had seen a model of the waters project started by Swamiji and his men that ensured a steady supply of water to draught stricken lands. I had lost count of the amount of transformational work that was done in this once barren village!
We bowed at the small samadhi of Satya Saibaba’s parents. We also visited a tamarind tree with wish fulfilling powers called the Kalpavriksha tree and tied our individual threads in anticipation of future dream-fulfillment. We washed our feet in the Chitravati river that flows just off the main road of Puttaparthi.
We were now ready to enter the chief attraction of this place- the Sai baba Ashram where we were scheduled to get a darshan of Sri Satya Saibaba himself. Just in front of the main entrance, we first bowed to Lord Ganesha whom we remember before the start of any kind of endeavor. We also prayed to Lord Subramanya and Goddess Gayatridevi at the nearby temples.
We then examined in detail the Sarvadharma stupa, a tall pillar that has a base representation of different religions and a lotus on top, symbolizing how we too could rise above the murky waters as we seek the beauty of universal oneness. A lovely bhajan was playing in the background speakers in the complex.
There seemed to be volunteers all around me who directed us to walk in absolute silence towards the very majestic looking Prashanth Mandir. As we took our place on the floor in neatly formed rows I wondered at the level of efficiency that was required to manage such large crowds. At the same time I was disappointed at the high handed attitude and almost rude behavior of some of the so-called volunteers. It did not match with the peacefulness and decorum of the place.
We were asked to write about our desires in life on a piece of paper. We all waited in anticipation for the big moment. I observed the main alter which also had the similar signs of universal oneness. And suddenly a sense of excitement filled the air. I saw the one and only Satya Sai Baba, slowly walking towards the hall. He looked much older than the many photographs that I had seen of him.
The devotees almost went crazy trying to get his attention. One woman from the back rows suddenly ran in his direction, screaming ‘Swamiji’ with pain and emotion. She was immediately stopped and overpowered by the volunteers. Satya Saibaba did not seem to react. He did not even look at her direction. I stared in amazement as he waved his fingers in the air and seemed to take out a palmful of ash. He also spoke to a lady sitting across us, who was wearing lots of diamond jewelry. He waved to the audience from the main alter. He then retired to the inner chamber rooms to have a separate interaction with some of his special devotees!
We walked past the massive darshan grounds where Swamiji can hold discourses for larger audiences. I saw another auditorium from afar above which was the Swamiji’s personal residence. We ate the Prasad in one of the community dining halls. We even visited the living quarters of the devotees who stay in the ashrams. I think that every tourist should interact with the local ashram residents and listen to their amazing stories of faith, determination, character and service.
Show over. It was time to leave. I wondered about the privileged people who were allowed personal audiences with the Swamiji. Maybe he would give them expensive rings and watches out of thin air. I had mixed feelings about this experience of seeing him in person. I still could not consider him as a God and myself as his ardent devotee. On the other hand I had this huge admiration for him as an exceptional human being, for the immense contribution to the physical, mental, educational and spiritual Development of millions of people in India and across the world.
From an ordinary, small, almost barren village land, if Puttaparthi has undergone a complete transformation today with world class facilities and infrastructure, it has happened only because of the vision, power and charisma of one single person.
My visit to Puttaparthi re-affirmed my belief in the power of one! It was the first time that I actually saw a living person who did make a huge positive contribution to society!
So which Indian place gave you smiles today?
Please share your experience of Indian places giving you smiles.
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