At 1715hrs, the District President Sri Ramakuchel presented a report of the service activities of Ranga Reddy District at the Sai Kulwant hall in the Divine Presence. Starting the speech with gratitude of the memories of the Radha Krishna drama, they presented on 26th July 2009, he then enumerated the various activities by the organisation under the Village Integrated Programme, Agri Care, Socio Care, Medi Care and  Deena Jano Dharana Project.

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This was followed by a music concert entitled ‘Sangeetha Vibhavari‘ that resounded all over the hall with brilliant melody and devotion. Every aspect of the programme including the narration, the vocals and the instrumentals was extremely enjoyable. They started the concert with a song glorifying the Avatar, ‘Veyi Punnamulu Choochina Velupu Neevayya‘, followed by an adoration of the nectarine voice of Mother Easwaramma, ‘Paluku Palukuna Teneloluku Maa Amma Easwaramma‘.

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The Lord beyond the form ‘Janana Maranamulu Leni Nirguna Mandira Partheeswara‘ was next.The song ‘Veyi Kannulu Chaaluvu Manaku‘ (Even a thousand eyes are not enough to enjoy your presence) was particularly moving. They concluded the programme with ‘Sathya Sai Rama, Saketa Sarvabhouma‘. Arati was offered at 1830hrs.

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At 1900hrs there commenced a Rathothsavam, a chariot procession of Sri Sathya Sai Baba from the Sri Venugopala Swami temple in the village. The highlight of the procession was a group of young singers doing Chakka Bhajans.

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The devotees from Ranga Reddy District commenced the second day of their pilgrimage with Samuhika Rudrabhishekam at 1000hrs. They also held a Satsangam (Spiritual gathering) at 1445hrs. The programme then moved to Sai Kulwant Hall at 1700hrs with Veda Chanting.

At 1720hrs the youth of the District enacted a vibrant skit entitled, ‘Sarvadevatateetam Sri Sayeeshwaram‘. The skit captured the various facets of the Sri Sathya Sai Avatar as a discussion between the gatekeepers of Vaikunta and Kailasa with the sages Narada, Bharadwaja and a Christian Apostle. The conversation was interspersed with colourful dances by children.

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The skit started with a colourful dance to Lord Ganesha. This was followed by a poetic imagination of Jaya, Vijaya and Anindya (the vahana of Lord Ganesha) searching for Saint Narada who finally emerges from Earth and discourses on the Sri Sathya Sai Avatar to the accompaniment of Sage Bharadwaja. Bhringi and Yohan the Apostle too join in the discussion in the poetic author’s fertile imagery.

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Even as Sage Bharadwaja explains the advent of the Sai Avatars, Narada renders His many leelas including the appearance in the Virupaksha Sanctum Sanctorum, the materialisation of the Lingam worshipped in Kailasa and the Golden Ganesha Darshan to Sri Amrutananda. This was followed by a dance on the leelas of young Krishna and the episode of Krishna straightening the back of Kubja. The saints then compared the incident to Bhagawan healing the orthopaedic ailment of Mrs. Anderson during His 43rd Birthday Celebrations.

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Quoting an incident of Bhagawan giving the Vision of Haj in His palm to devotees from Arab, the wise men extolled his grace towards all religions and nations. The apostle Yohan compared the resurrection of Lazarus to Bhagawan bringing back Sri Kuppam Radhakrishna to life after being declared dead. The elders then quoted incidents including  the miracle in Allavada, Ranga Reddy District through which devotees are able to perceive Bhagawan’s presence even after He shed the mortal coil. The programme concluded with a group song.

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All participants were honoured with clothes even as Prasadam was distributed to the assembly.

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Sri Ashok Sakhrani, national coordinator of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Hong Kong welcomed the gathering for the Buddha Purnima celebrations. He spoke on the four sublime qualities of the mind that have taught by the Buddha, namely Maitri (Loving Kindness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) and Upeksha (Equanimity). The Chairman of Zone 5 of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Worldwide, Sri Nari Chugani spoke on the similarity between the connection that millions felt towards Lord Buddha and Sri Sathya Sai Baba and their teachings of Peace, Love and Purity.

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Dr Sunanda, a Professor from Sri Lanka and a consultant of various United Nations and World Bank Projects, spoke next on his initial confusions on following Bhagawan’s path, since he felt he would be deserting Buddhism. However Bhagawan’s Love helped him to see the similarity between the teachings of the Great Masters. He mentioned now his spiritual progress accelerated once his Sadhana was suffused with his love for Bhagawan. He also quoted an alumni of Bhagawan’s university in Sri Lanka who on questioning what is the Sadhana one has to do, pointed to Bhagawan’s photo and said, sing His name and Love Him. That will suffice.

Bhagawan has given us a challenge, he said and that is to continue to Love Him when His physical form is not available to our senses. ‘Let us Love Bhagawan until our love also becomes perfect with His Divine Grace. This day is the Buddha Purnima of Prince Siddartha. One day when we perfect our Love to the level of Love of Buddha or Sri Sathya Sai, that is our day of Buddha Purnima!’, he concluded. The talks were followed by international Bhajans by the devotees.

The evening session of Buddha Purnima Celebrations commenced with Vedas by devotees from Zone 5 led by the Japanese delegation who have impressed Bhagawan on various occasions with their diligent learning of the Vedas.

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Sri Ashok Sakhrani then provided the highlights of the various activities undertaken by Zones 4 and 5 of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Worldwide in the last one year. It included Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values training to 50 schools in China and Hong Kong along with the translation and new materials published in the said topic, regular Narayana Seva to the homeless and the needy, building of 3 mosques, 323 water tanks and 86 homes in Indonesia, health care centre, old age home, orphanage drinking water projects in Nepal, medical camps and schooling in Sri Lanka for the children affected by the civil war, HOPE (Honour our Parents everyday) programmes in Malaysia, SSSEHV training in Thailand apart from what the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation has developed a reputation for worldwide, Crisis Management. The help rendered by the devotees in Thailand, Indonesia and Japan instilled confidence in mankind among the beneficiaries.

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Sri Sakhrani then introduced the Dance programme by Children from Thailand. The beautiful presentation was on the theme ‘Know Thyself: Life is Bliss when Truth is Realised.’ The children where dressed in traditional costumes of China and India and danced in Chinese style to an Indian song, bringing out the harmony in diversity.

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This presentation was followed by a choir by Zone 5 devotees on the theme ‘Bhajans and its use in daily life’. The choir consisted of various Bhajan medleys in English and Japanese. The conductor speaking in Japanese conveyed her gratitude to Bhagawan. Gifts were distributed to the participants and prasadam was shared with the assembly even as the international Bhajans were in progress. Arati was offered at 1840hrs.

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After the conclusion of Darshan, the devotees arranged an Abhishekam to Lord Buddha which is believed to ward away bad karma. All the members of the pilgrimage participated in the same.

The next evening, Sri Ashok Sakhrani welcoming everyone for the concluding session of the two day programme thanked the organisers and office bearers for their support in the successful completion of the programme especially for the Naryana Seva held yesterday. He then introduced the speaker for the evening, Dr. Periera.

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Dr. Periera focused on the similarities of the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Sri Sakyamuni Buddha. He stressed on the immense compassion shown by the Avatars with many examples. The talk was followed by a drama on the great eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami titled ‘Adrishtam’. Visuals from Japan were played in the backdrop (See top of page) even as actors performed in front of the screen. The skit contained various incidents of Love of mutual help, Compassionate Love, Love through Vedas, Love melting closed minds and Water God’s Love. It was indeed a moving presentation.

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Sri V. Srinivasan, the all India president of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations congratulated the participants on even converting a disaster into an opportunity for Seva. He said how he was humbled by the great work of the Japanese Volunteers. Speaking with conviction, he reminded everyone of Bhagawan’s assurance that He is with us during our joy and sorrow but above all He is with us when we are doing selfless service.

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With Bhagawan’s blessings all the pilgrims were given special tokens of Love. Prasadam was distributed to the assembly. Arati was offered at 1830hrs.

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Sri.S.G.Chalam the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, Andhra Pradesh introduced the project while stressing on the active role of the Sai Youth in the four phases of the project: Village identification, plan and design, implementation and hand over. Two Sai youth members Sri Sai Prashanth and Sri Siva Kaladhar then took the podium and alternatively in Telugu and English provided various details about the project along with experiences of the volunteers when they could see the visible hand of Bhagawan helping them face threats and cross obstacles.

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The video presentation highlighted the various words of inspiration from Bhagawan, the acute need of drinking water in various remote areas of Andhra Pradesh and the projects undertaken by them to fulfil the need. The programme concluded with a song and dance presentation, ‘Sathya Yugam Sai Yugam‘. All participants were gifted clothes and prasadam was distributed to the gathering.

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The Sunday Programme came to an auspicious conclusion with the Bhajan ‘Manasa Bhaja Re Guru Charanam’ in Bhagawan’s divine voice.

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The celebrations began early in the morning with auspicious music on the Nadaswaram. At 0800hrs, the Sundaram Bhajan group performed Veda Chanting and Bhajans in the Sai Kulwant Hall even as delicious sweets were distributed to the assembly. In the evening Professor Anil Kumar introduced the programme in English and Telugu after which the state president of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Tamil Nadu, Sri N. Ramani addressed the gathering in Tamil.

Sri Venkata Krishnan, Alumni Coordinator, then explained about the school and the alumni association with it. Vela Special School, Villupuram was started in 1992 as a means of Seva and today caters to the needs of about 214 special children. All the teachers who teach at this school have demonstrated enormous amounts of dedication, patience and commitment to better the lives of these children. On the 26th February 2011, during the Tamil Nadu Alumni meet, Bhagawan had blessed the association of the alumni with this project and had Himself instructed to bring these children to Prasanthi Nilayam.

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The first song of the program was a solo performance by Janiswari, a child who is speech and hearing impaired from birth. The song was an offering to Lord Ganesha. The songs were played only for our benefit. These children cannot hear the song or match their steps with the beats of the song. Yet, they have been taught these dance steps by their teachers using only hand sign language, eyes and facial expressions. The dance was orchestrated live by their teachers seated in front of them using this noble communication. In the second song ‘Kayyil deepam endhi vandom’, the little ones pray to Bhagawan to light up their lives and help them overcome their challenges.

As a prelude to the third song, a patriotic number entitled ‘Vande Mataram‘, the master of ceremonies prayed to Bhagawan to bless these children to be able to lead a normal life. An interesting incident happened after that. There appeared to be a loose connection in the audio system and the song did not play correctly. Any other group of dancers who had actually danced based on the music of the recording would have got disoriented and missed a step but these children, special as they are, danced on perfectly, least affected unlike their auditorically sound neighbours. It was as if Bhagawan replied that He did not make them special so that they could wish to be normal. He made them special because they are meant to achieve extraordinary things.

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The fourth song, ‘Kannuku Oli Kodduppom‘ was written by former President of India, Bharat Ratna Prof. APJ Abdul Kalam. In this song, he extols the value of vision and the importance of eye donation to the citizens of India. This was a solo performance by Chitra, a truly gifted child. The dance programme ended in a celebratory note with ‘Mukunda Mukunda‘.

This cultural presentation was followed by seven melodious songs in various languages by youth from Tamil Nadu indicating how all distinctions melt away and amplify harmoniously in His Divine Presence. Invoking Lord Ganesha with ‘Raja Gajanana‘, the youngsters then sang the praise of great devotees of Lord Shiva in Tamil with the song, ‘Eppadi Paadinaro‘ before linguistically travelling the length and breath of India. A highlight of the programme was an instrumental presentation to the tunes of ‘Raghuvamsa Sudha‘. As if handing over the stage to their brothers and sisters from Kerala for the Vishu Celebrations the next day, the youth fittingly concluded with a Malayalam number, ‘Valam Kannu Sooryanum‘.

Even as the Sundaram Bhajan Group commenced Bhajans, all participants were honoured with clothes. Also special gifts with Baba’s blessings was distributed to the children from the Vela special school. With the beginning of the Tamil New Year, let us recount the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan on this auspicious occasion in 2008.

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Radiosai today, has 6 different streams – Asia, Africa, Ameri, Discourse, Bhajan and Telugu,  that offer a variety of programs that bring out the message of pure love given by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, to the entire humanity. Under the able guidance of Padmashree Dr. G. Venkataraman,  eminent scientist and former Vice Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning , the Radiosai team offers spiritual programs that enable every human being to follow the path of Dharma and spread the joy of love, peace and harmony.

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In February 2011, Baba gave His Divine consent and blessings to start a 24 hr radio channel that would broadcast programs specifically telugu. This Radiosai Telugu channel was launched on July 15^th 2011, on the auspicious Gurupoornima day and is now growing at a rapid pace.

In order to involve as many people as possible in this sacred mission, Radiosai has conducted selections in 8 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The participation has been very encouraging as more than 2500 people had participated in these selections, and Radiosai has identified close to 500 talented people who would enable the generation of creative content for this 24 hr. radio channel,  purely as a service to the Lord and to humanity at large.

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To enable better functioning and faster processing, Radiosai is establishing small studios in all the districts of Andhra Pradesh. The first of those was  inaugurated on the 29^th of March 2012, in the temple town of Tirupati. Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Tirupati, Chitoor district is delighted to open this studio and serve the humanity by spreading the message of pure love.

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The Programme started with Omkaram and Veda Chanting at 1730hrs. Sri L.V.Subramanyam, I.A.S, executive officer of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams and an alumni of Bhagawan’s Institutions, inaugurated the recording studio. Sri K.V.S.K. Ganesh gave the welcome address followed by a video of Bhagawan’s Discourse. Sri Subash Chandra Bose, District President and Sri S.G.Chalam, State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, A.P. spoke next.Sri. Subramanyam then gave the inaugural address while Sri V.S.R.Murthy gave a guest lecture.

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Sri Deepak Mazumdar Ji, a dedicated Bharata Natyam exponent and Bhagawan’s former Balvikas Student, gave a special Dance Presentation. A music presentation by staff of Bhagawan’s institutions in Prasanthi Nilayam including the Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music performed to an enthralled audience.

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Sri Dwaram A.V.Swamy, State Coordinator, Radio Sai Telugu Stream, Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, A.P, offered his gratitude to Bhagawan and thanked the chief guest and the gathering.

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[Currently Radiosai can be heard through Internet by logging on to www.radiosai.org and through various applications on mobile phones and through Airtel service. Radiosai is heard in 125 countries all over the world and continues to spread this joy, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.]

Starting the programme with the invocation of Lord Ganesha with ‘Vakrathunda Mahakaya…’, the passing out batch of Under Graduate students from Brindavan christened ‘Vajras’ (Diamonds) went on to sing many memorable songs including ‘Kanula Mundara’, ‘Pyare… Sai… Hamare’, ‘What can I do but thank You’ and ‘ Premaku Rupama” which also saw two students choreographing it before concluding with the Qawwali, ‘Dil Yehi Kahta Hain’.

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Between the songs, many students got up and shared their wonderful experiences with their Lord. While one student spoke about the entrance of an Orange flash of light to protect him during a critical surgery, another spoke about how Bhagawan miraculously solved a financial problem they had. A student who has been studying in Bhagawan’s institutions since his primary school recounted an instance when Bhagawan asked him what he wanted and the student had promptly replied with, “I want only You, Swami”. In response Bhagawan stood with outstretched hands and said ‘Take Me’. The student with moist eyes continued to say how He had indeed given Himself to all students. Saving the life of some, consoling the grief of another and solving the financial crisis of a third, Bhagawan has saturated them with gratitude for Him.

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Some other students spoke about the life in Bhagawan’s hostel which is a home away from home. The brotherhood they developed in the place and the self reliance and the self confidence they will take away with themselves, they said, are unique to this place.  Another student recounted how his mother had a vision of Bhagawan on the photograph of Jesus Christ in the hospital during her difficult pregnancy. He thanked Bhagawan for his birth blessed by the Father and the Son.

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The students brought the curtains down quoting Johannes A. Gaertner,

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.”

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The teachers of the campus distributed gifts from Bhagawan  to all the passing out students. The Sunday session came to a blessed end with Bhagawan singing “Madhuvana Sanchari Shyama Murari“. Arati was offered to Bhagawan at 1830hrs.

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Passing out students of MSc, MA, MBA and MPhil offered their gratitude to Bhagawan on the evening of 18 Mar 2012 with a variety programme including talks, songs, instrumentals, poetry and dances. The only achievement that the students strive for, they said, is to see a smile on their Master’s face and commenced the programme with that very objective.

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The group christened “Shaurya” by Bhagawan way back in their undergraduate days was multi-talented and utilised the opportunity to display the various facets of their talent with the sole objective of making Bhagawan happy.

Starting the programme with “Eka Dantaya…”, they sang many memorable songs like “Kanula Mundara”, “O Nestama”, “Kaise Jiyon” and “Humko Tumse Pyar Kitna”, which took everyone down the path of nostalgia. One student performed a solo on the guitar to a very moving song entitled, “I will cry for you”.

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The songs were interspersed with various students sharing their experiences with Bhagawan as their teacher, their doctor and their parent. To make the love all the more personal, the students spoke in their native tongues spanning the nation linguistically from Telugu to Nepali. Not to be left behind, the institute brass band also performed a unique symphony paying their gratitude in the universal language of Music while the dance boys choreographed to perfection the same sentiment.

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Amidst the programme, Bhagawan’s voice thundered sweetly as He mentioned how the students of His university live as brothers while the students outside are subjected to evils like ragging. He mentioned how Education is absolutely free of charge and How he provides scholarships to students who cannot pay even the mess charges. Bhagawan concluded with how He expects all His students to be ideal boys.

All the outgoing students were presented with mementos as gifts from Bhagawan. Being Sunday the days proceedings was brought to a close with a Bhajan sung in the sweet voice of Bhagawan, ‘Subramaniam Subramaniam’.

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On the evening of 25th, the pilgrims provided a unique vaudevillian show in Sai Kulwant Hall today including Dances, Burra Katha, Hari Katha, Poetry, Talks, Video Clippings and Songs. A small girl anthropomorphising Adilabad started the programme with a talk of gratitude followed by a dance to the tunes of ‘Sampoorna Avataram‘.

The masters of ceremony then took over the stage praying to Bhagawan to make all their work as Ramakaryam or God’s work. They described the gaiety of Namasankirtana, chanting of God’s name, which is taking Adilabad by storm. They described the various folk art forms like Burra Katha and Hari Katha which revived by Bhagawan are flourishing in Adilabad as mediums for singing his glory. This was followed by a group song, ‘Tallivi Tandrivi‘ and performances of Burra Katha and Hari Katha.
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Devotees then lined up to tell their stories of love and transformation. The Hari Katha artiste mentioned how on a trip of service, Bhagawan ensured that food never ran out at his home, a Sevadal described how Bhagawan answered his ‘test’ by making him listen to his favourite song, ‘Deivam Manava Roopamlo‘, a child rendered poetry while her father mentioned how Bhagawan saved them from a hail storm and a volunteer mentioned how Bhagawan’s Vibuthi saved the family cow.

This was followed by a folk dance presentation, where children invited the villagers to Puttaparthi through the song, ‘Puttaparthi ki pothamu, ra ra Raamaiya‘. Three senior scholars then rendered beautiful poetry setting the platform for a video clipping of Bhagawan’s Discourse to Adilabad devotees where praising the devotion of these simple folk, Bhagawan adds that our Bliss is His food and declares that He is ours and we are His. This clip was followed by a slideshow of their memories with the Lord.

A couple of group songs followed where all the devotees waved placards which read, “We Love You Swami”. This was followed by a Mangalam song during which time 108 devotees gave Arati to Bhagawan.

The 26th evening witnessed a trip down the memory lane through various videos and stills of their past performances and Bhagawan’s interaction with them apart from  the water project gifted to them by Bhagawan and their service activities in the district. The video was interspersed with poetry and devotional singing by the delegates.

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The songs included ones on Sudama’s friendship to Krishna, devotion to Rama and the story of Bhagawan Baba. All participants were gifted with clothes while prasadam was distributed to the assembly. The Sunday programme concluded with Bhagawan singing, “<em>Shyama Sundara Madana Mohana</em>”.

All participants were honoured with clothes and Prasadam was distributed to the gathering.

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They started the programme with a choreography to the words of Sri Rudraprasnah Laghunyasah, with a prayer to Lord Sai Shiva to help realise Him in our hearts. Fire, Air, Moon, Directions, the Primordial Ocean, Earth, Plants, Lightning, Rain all forms of Shakti, were depicted through graceful steps as the dynamic manifestation of Shiva Himself. Just as the drop is not different from the ocean, they argued, the I is not different from the Universe.

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The students then went on to choreograph the Siva Panchakshari Mantra interspersed with select Anuvakas of Sri Rudram. Special mention must be made of the choreography of the concluding lines of the first Anuvaka of Sri Rudram,

Namaste astu Bhagavan Vishveshvaraya, Mahadevaya, Thriambakaya, Tripurantakaya, Trikagni kalaya, Kalagnirudraya, Neelakantaya, Mrutyunjayaya, Sarveshvaraya, Sadashivaya, Shriman Mahadevaya namah||

…where in each word salutes Rudra variously as the Lord of the universe; the great God the three eyed one, the destroyer of Tripura, the extinguisher of the trika fire and the fire of death, the blue‐necked one, the victor over death, the lord of all, the ever peaceful one, the glorious God of gods.

The speed with which the students shifted stance to enact all the different salutations was awe-inspiring. Another interesting aspect of it was that all the audio associated with the programme including the chanting of the various shlokas and the background score were done by the students themselves.

The half-hour programme concluded at 1745hrs and the music boys took over and rendered some wonderful Bhajans before Bhagawan concluded the session in his sweet voice with, “Ganga Jata Dara Gauri Sankara”.

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The evening programme on 18th Feb started with an hour of devotional singing entitled “Sri Sathya Sai Naadha Neerajanam” by the Sivam Bhajan Group. Starting the concert with the number Dosita Gulabi Poovula Tho,  they sung various songs on the themes of surrender, service, love and devotion before concluding with Oyi Rama Sai Rama. The highlight of the presentation were the wonderful aalaps which preceded each song. The singers included Alumni of Bhagawan’s University along with many active youth members of Sivam.

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This was followed by a dance presentation by students of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar – Hyderabad representing the various Indian Folk Dances. The students started the presentation with Ganapathi Vandana. The first folk dance depicted was the Chekka Bhajana of Andhra Pradesh, a traditional dance form to the beat of wooden cymbals and vigorous leg movements. This was followed by the Garbha, a ceremonial dance of Gujarat performed during Navaratri.

The next presentation was Kalbelia, a popular dance of the nomadic community of Rajasthan which included acrobatic feats like balancing on small metal vases, a bed of nails and the edges of swords. The Cheraw Dance ,a combination of rhythm and skill, made famous by the Mizoram followed. They concluded the programme with a Peacock Dance, honouring the national bird of India.

The pilgrims concluded the day with a Pallaki Seva from the Old Mandir of Bhagawan at 1930hrs.

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The second day of the Hyderabad youth Parthi yatra witnessed a classical carnatic vocal concert by Dr. Panthula Rama, popular as ‘Nightingale of Andhra’. A prodigy who gave her maiden concert at the age of 8, Dr. Rama has many awards and recognitions of repute. She holds a Ph.D in music from Andhra University and has authored the book: ‘Shaping of an ideal Carnatic Musician through Sadhana’.

She was accompanied by Sri M.S.N. Murthy on Violin and Sri Nemani Somayajulu on Mridangam. Starting her concert with Siva Siva Siva Enaraya and Bhaja Re Manasa, she went on sing many popular numbers including Navaneetha Chora Devaki Vasudeva Nandana and Leela Nataka Sai.

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A Dance Ballet by students of Balvikas, Hyderabad entitled ‘Shivanandalahari’ followed. The children began the dance ballet with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. The scene then shifts to Lord Shiva being worshiped by Nandi and other divine forces in Mount Kailasa. Lord Shiva gradually sets into a mood of deep meditation after performing the spectacular Thaandavam (the dance of Shiva).

Even as Parvathi arrives to offer prayers to the Lord, Kamadeva (cupid) strikes an arrow at Shiva. Angered Shiva opens His third eye and reduces him to ashes. However on the interceding of Parvathi, Shiva brings him back to life. The scene ends with auspicious wedding of Shiva and Parvathi.

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The next scene shows the churning of the ocean of Devas and Asuras for the extraction of Amruta (Elixir of Eternal Life). However the Elixir is preceded by the poison haalahalam. Lord Shiva rescues the beings by drinking the poison Himself. Mother Parvathi keeps a finger on His throat to stop the poison and thus He is praised with the name ‘Neelakanta’, the one with the blue throat.

The next sequence depicts the binding of the irrepressible force of the River Ganges in the Knots of the plaits of Shiva to allow the continuos and controlled flow of the river onto the earth earning him the sobriquet ‘Gangaadhara’. The final sequence depicts the story of the birth of Ganesha and the Darshan of the Divine Family of Shiva.

All participants were much appreciated and presented with clothes.