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Sri Sathya Sai Anandam
Today, on this auspicious and sacred occasion of Ugadi, Bhagawan shifted to His residence Sri Sathya Sai Anandam, in Sathya Sai Grama, from Premdeep. Soon after the evening Ugadi programme at Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham concluded, Bhagawan made His grand entry at Anandam, amdist Purna Khumbam and vedic chants.
Way back in 2008, when Swami wanted a hill-top residence to be built for Him, all were puzzled by the need. What was the purpose? Swami already had a residence below the hill, Premdeep! No one understood at that time, and the Lord did not reveal the purpose. It was His idea that this structure should be built. When the team at that time submitted with much humility that it would be very difficult to build on top-of-a-hill, the Lord in His indomitable way said, “It is only difficult, not impossible.” The hill had to be blasted, and much more challenging tasks were . No one seemed to understand its end use, and this further intrigued everyone!
Bhagawan approved the design, which was very similar to Yajur Mandir, but removed the kitchen and dining hall from the drawings, saying He wanted a large hall instead, in the ground floor. He also wanted a clock tower! The Lord Himself laid the foundation stone on February 14, 2009.
During the Kodaikanal trip in 2009, the then Deputy MD of Larsen & Toubro Sri Ramakrishna mustered the courage to ask Swami the purpose of this place. Swami revealed to Him that Anandam would be His hill-top Abode during the last few years of the Avataric Mission!
Today, Swami took some guests and showed them around the place with the innocence and excitement of a child! It was absolutely endearing to the see Him this way; only God can be so innocent! Swami said that Anandam by far has been the best Mandir for Him, with the most beautifully, and aesthetically designed rooms and facilities! Bhagawan said, “It's really blissful to live here, I feel Anandam, and therefore this is named 'Anandam'. This shall be my summer residence for six months of the year, and Premdeep will be the winter residence for the other six months!”
Swami did not forget to thank Shilpi Subramanian, the sculptor, His loyal servant for over four decades, who has done most of the sculpture at Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, and other buildings like hospital, college and school.
The renovated residence of Bhagawan was glowing resplendently in the dark! Beige and gold is the colour theme of the interiors, and Swami remarked that these colours would be the hallmark colours of the Prema Sai Avatar! He said, “I am already readying things for the next advent!” This explained the change of shades, from blue, pink and cream, the trademark colours of Swami's buildings, to the new beige and gold colour!
Swami mentioned that the carpenters and wood work artists have designed the doors on the lines of Mysore Palace doors, by going and studying them and understanding the underlying design concept, after obtaining special permission, to meet the expectations of Swami!
Swami had looked in to every small detail, and had guided the volunteer team of students and staff (who had worked days and night to ensure the completion by Yugadi as commanded by their Lord!) about minute aspects like where to fix a picture, where to keep flower vases etc. God of small things!
Swami was very happy with all the hard work and praised the team who had spent endless days and nights to ensure they meet Swami’s deadline of Yugadi! What more can someone ask for? What an opportunity to create something for the Cosmic Creator, and make Him happy!
We simply and humbly need to offer ourselves at His Divine Lotus Feet, and pray that He uses us as His instruments, in the way He wishes!
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Bhagawan making His grand entry into Anandam
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A magnificent view of Premdeep in the forefront, and Anandam towering behind, in all it's majesty!
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