Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 5 - The idols get instilled with life

A view of the impressive crowd on the day of the inauguration

CG and I reached the Vitthala temple situated on the first floor of the temple complex. We knew that this was the central shrine and we saw hundreds who were waiting inside. Surprisingly, there were almost no cameramen there. Thrilled at this, both of us took positions in the sanctum, waiting for Swami to arrive. Five minutes later, we realized how naïve we had been! That area was cameramen-free because Swami was in the floor below us inaugurating the Shirdi Baba temple!

(Dear reader,

If you have come directly to this post, I would like to egg you on to enjoy the full story with its history. Link to part 1 is given below and the link to the next part will be at the end of each previous part. Thank you.

Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 1 - The Blessing Materializes)

Swami presses the switch the lights up His own photograph

Both of us rushed down instantly and luckily were able get a few shots of Swami with the Shirdi Sai idol in the sanctum. The two brothers sat by His side and bhajans were on. The Lord serenely glanced at the many members of the Jadhav family who plunged at His feet for namaskar. This moving tableau went on for about five minutes after which Swami began to move down the aisle of the temple towards the back end. There was the famous picture of Him sitting in the Sai Ram shed at Brindavan, Bengaluru engrossed in bhajans. It was a back-lit frame and was situated bang opposite the Shirdi Baba idol. Swami pressed a button and the photo lit up along with the faces of all those around. I recalled what the elder Jadhav brother had told me,

“We wanted to make a shrine for Swami here. But Swami refused. He said that the people in the region loved and worshipped Panduranga. The name of form does not matter to Him because God is one. For the joy of the people, He told us to make this Pandurangakshetra (literally, ‘the field of Panduranga’). But we wanted Swami’s temple also. He converted that into a Shirdi Baba temple. Finally, we just managed to place His photograph there.”

This is so typical of Swami. He never bothers about people seeking Him in the Sathya Sai form. His desire is that everyone seek the ‘Sathya’ that the ‘Sai’ form has come to propagate. So that was how Swami added one more idol to the list of Shirdi Baba idols He has installed.

After this, Swami moved out of the temple and around it towards the lift to take Him to the Vitthala temple which, as mentioned before, was on the first floor. All along the way, devotees craved for a divine touch. The volunteers literally became "wall and tears" and the students too added to the sorrow of the devotees with their mighty cordon. But it must be said in their favour that the crowd was too enthusiastic to be disciplined as they tried to somehow get to His feet. When emotion overpowers, the voice of reason becomes faint. CG and I rushed back to the Vitthala temple via the stairs in front and now, the cameramen were there! Our ‘Bhagawan's guest’ badge helped us to get right back into the sanctum.

Swami is thrilled like a little child when asked to do the 'life-instilling' for the idols 

Swami, the 'string-puller' of the Universe pulls the strings to instill life in the idols

Swami did the "life-instilling ceremony" for the Vitthala and Rakumai idols too. He lit a lamp in the temple in which were standing the aged father and mother of the Jadhavs. This was Swami's first close encounter with them on this trip. Then and there itself they seemed to have won His heart completely. Swami looked at them with a twinkle in His eyes. He was so happy that the children had accorded so much respect and love for their parents. Swami says that if the children serve and take care of their parents, they become automatic recipients of God’s love. The state of Maharashtra also has an ideal for this in the form of Pundalika who won Panduranga’s grace by serving his parents.

Group photos for the Jadhav family members

I was convinced that the joy the parents felt was responsible for the blessings being conferred on the Jadhav brothers and my conviction would be vindicated later during the trip.

Swami now agreed for a family photograph and soon all the priests made way for the family members in the sanctum. Ah! What a heavenly blessing for the family! In the centre were the idols of Panduranga and Rukmini and right in front of them was dear Sai! All around was the family. We took pictures and, having completed my duty, II moved out of the way to the entrance. I exited the sanctum and sat outside, in the temple hall. A moment later, a boy came running to me saying that Swami was looking for ‘His photographer’ as He wanted to grant a photo opportunity exclusively to the parents of the Jadhavs. Overjoyed at the special honour for the parents which had gifted me the opportunity to be called as His photographer, I went back into the sanctum and clicked furiously.

A special photograph for the parents of the Jadhav brothers.

So many people fell at his feet and many more came within breathing distance from Him. Swami then moved down the path that had been strewn with rose petals and came out of the temple. He now was outside, at the top of the huge stairway that the devotees would use to enter the premises. He remained seated there so that the thousands assembled below could see Him and rejoice. The band played a tribute to Him while the songs continued. Swami presently blessed a few books in Marathi and was ‘introduced’ to many VIPs by Mr. Jadhav. Swami then asked for Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and his son Rahul Sharma to be seated by Him and they felt honoured at this privilege.

Swami shares a light moment with the Santoor maestro, Pandit Shivakumar Sharma

Ten minutes or so later, at about 10:40, Swami moved to the lift and descended. The boys had made a human chain to provide ‘protection’ to the Ultimate Protector and everyone eagerly awaited the 'Descent'. Swami moved down and instead of going into the car, moved to a nearby area on the northern side of the temple complex where the final formalities of a yajnam were to be completed. Swami, the Yajnapurusha of all such sacrifices, attended the Poornahuthi (final offering) and blessed the Yajnashala. I did get good pictures of this event (Being a photographer is a funny experience. People look at the photos and are so happy. But those same also curse and scold when you obstruct their view while taking pictures! Posterity is thrilled at the expense of some in the present. It is like insurance where for a good future you undergo hardships paying premiums!)

A beam of sunlight filtered through as Swami arrived to bless the Yajna

At about 10:50 a.m., Swami started back in the car towards the Residence and in 10 minutes He was inside. Now, He had lunch with the elders and the topics of discussion were mainly centered on the proceedings in the morning. Once the guests were done, Swami looked at all of us seated on the floor and lovingly said, "Boys, go and eat." All the tables were soon occupied.

During this time, the discussion on the table veered towards speeches by the students and Bhagawan asked us as to who among us would speak. I was about to raise my hand when He announced the condition – it must be in Marathi! Almost everyone suggested the name of a senior in our group but Swami wanted someone else. Finally, He settled on Nishikant and asked him to prepare well for his talk in Marathi. So, that was the boys' involvement in the luncheon discussion.

As Swami was returning towards the lift after the lunch, He called out to KVSK Ganesh and said, "Do not only dance; do some work too." And then speaking to Mr. S. V. Giri, Swami said,

“Give this boy some work." Mr. Giri suggested that he could study further. Much to the relief of Ganesh (as he told me later) Swami vehemently disagreed saying,

"He has finished three degrees! How much more should he study? Let him work." Then turning to Ganesh, Swami blessed him.

As He moved up, all of us chanted the food prayer loudly. With that, Swami retired for the morning as we all happily helped ourselves to the elaborate menu.

By 3:15 p.m., refreshed after a nap, we were again waiting for His arrival. We had been told that the evening's snacks would also be served at the poolside along with Swami. In fifteen minutes, Swami was out and as He came near us, He called Ganesh once again and advised him to take up a job. It was evident that this was foremost in His mind. ( It is with great pride and joy that I state here that Ganesh is now my colleague, working at Radiosai Global Harmony studios.) Then He called Jagdish Kanadia too and asked about his brother.

After this Swami enquired about the tiffin to which Satyajit mentioned that it had been arranged near the pool waters. So Swami began His, "Pillalu paandi (Boys leave)” when we told Him, "Swami we had breakfast there. It is wonderful."

Swami: "Oh is it? What did you have?"

One by one all the various items were reeled out and when mention was made of Ragada Patties, He asked, "What is that?" We all tried our own explanations.

I said, "Swami it’s a kind of vada." Satyajit explained that it was a sort of cutlet. Finally Swami seemed to give up trying to understand these mundane things and said, "Let’s go there. Boys, get into the bus."

Then Satyajit added, "Swami, You please can come in the car. Boys will walk; it is very near."

“Where is it?”

“Swami, we can see it from here. Shall we go to the balcony?”

Sensing that Satyajit was trying to cajole Swami to go into the terrace, I got up and quickly told the boys to make a pathway for Swami to move towards the expansive balcony of the building. It is so beautiful when the Divine builds up a drama to confer greater joy. As if He did not know the distance to be traversed! But He wanted to give another beautiful opportunity to all of us and we did not know what it was then. Swami moved towards the other side of the room where the door to the balcony was.

Swami points out that the Ganesha is holding an umbrella in the wrong direction!

Enjoying a high-view from the balcony.

CG and I were already ready there. A gentle breeze was on and the sun shone down upon the balcony. As Swami looked at the southern side, the first thing He noticed was the large number of cars that had been parked. He mentioned how so many people were coming from so to have His darshan. He also saw the temporary shelters that had been erected to feed the devotees (about 20,000 people were fed daily and one sitting could accommodate about 6000 people and all this was served entirely free!).

Swami reached the end of the terrace and began to look at the small statue of a golden Ganesha holding an umbrella. This sunshade was pointing in the eastern direction and since the sun was in the western skies, the beams fell directly on the statue. Swami asked,

"The umbrella is facing the wrong side?"

One of the Jadhavs tried to force it into the ‘proper’ position but it was of no avail. Swami then told them to let it be as it was.

The swimming pool was also visible from here and Swami had a look at it. Beyond the gates one could see the devotees who were enjoying this unexpected darshan. Now He moved ahead and saw the northern view which was full of hills. Swami pointed out and said, "That is a Trikon." Literally translated it meant a triangle or 'having three vertices'. At this point Phaneendra and myself went forward and asked,

"Swami, the spot is so scenic here. Can we take a picture with You?"

Swami agreed and Phani jumped next to Swami. Bhagavan then said,

"All of you come together." And so I took group photos. After taking two, I gave the camera to Satyajit and, with CG, joined the group. In no time, everyone was on the terrace and even those not yet on it were pining for pictures with Swami.

Bhagawan did not disappoint anyone. Starting with the Jadhav brothers and other members of his family, Swami granted photos also to the two little kids of Ratnakar. Swami is so happy when this duo is around and generously showers affection on them. And so He posed proudly and happily with them. Then Ratnakar too came by and he was soon followed by the State President of Maharasthra Mr. Sawant. In between this, I could not resist the temptation of taking a few close-ups of Swami too. He was looking into the camera, and so, even as I took the group photos, I zoomed in and clicked only Swami.

“So beautiful Swami”, I exclaimed and thought that He blushed and smiled.

After everyone had got their priceless moment, Swami moved out of the balcony.

A family photograph which will be cherished forever.

As He came out, I went to Him and showed the picture of Him with the children on the camera screen itself. Swami was positively thrilled. He called out to the kids saying,

“Come and see… your photos are already there!”

When they came, Swami gladly showed them the shot. There was a gleam in His eye. I felt really happy at His unexpected outburst of excitement. A sweet little thing happened here. Swami had seen me sift through the photos of the camera screen by pressing one among the several buttons on the camera. While showing the photos to the kids, He too wanted to sift through the photos. So, He began to press a random button on the camera. That was so sweet and I didn’t feel like telling Him that He is pressing the wrong button. Every time He pressed the button, I ‘secretly’ pressed the right button and the photos shifted seamlessly. I felt happy to have silently ‘helped’ Swami.

The joy I felt there was also accompanied by a realization - the realization that Swami does for me in life what I did for Him with the camera. Swami is the silent worker ensuring success in all my efforts - in whatever field they are. He makes the correct moves, presses the right buttons and gives the me joy as if I have done it myself. I am eternally grateful to this Sathya Sai, the silent worker.

All of us then proceeded down where all the ladies of the group posed with Swami. Now, Satyajit along with this mother posed for a picture. The other women followed suit. At the end, Swami confirmed whether all the pictures had come out well. I was extremely delighted and showed Him the shots; He held the camera and looked intently at the screen. The Lord was satisfied and mentioned that it had come out well. Then He moved out of the Residence and proceeded in His car to the poolside.

Arrival at the poolside. I really wish to be like that pool -
reflecting the Lord within always.

As Swami alighted there, it was a beautiful sight to see His reflection in the still waters - a photographer’s delight! An umbrella was brought for Him and I remembered Kasturi’s words – “Holding sunshade over the sun!” As Swami moved beside the pool, He looked at its clear blue character. Nearing the tables where all the snacks had been arranged, Swami said,

“These are the same boys who serve us inside; they have made all the arrangements here (referring to the Sai Youth from Mumbai).” Through a sliding door and over a ramp, Swami arrived into the balcony. His table had been arranged and as He sat down and gazed at the beautiful greenery around, I told Him,

“Swami this is the union of Prakruthi and Paramatma (Nature and the Supreme Creator)!”

He looked at me with half admiration and half mockery playing in His eyes and exclaimed, “Abba!”

He then told the elders to sit on the chairs that had been arranged and enquired about the whereabouts of the other students too. It was only Swami who always had an eye out for His boys. He would never begin or do anything without ensuring that all of us were present. Soon all the boys came to the balcony and took their seats opposite to Bhagavan, just a few metres away. Swami was now happy and the snack session started. When He was told about the swimming pool, Swami said,

“If I swim, You will not even be able to catch Me; I will quickly reach from one end to the other!”  

The younger Jadhav was sitting next to the Lord and explaining the scenery around. Swami asked if there was no boating in the lake to which he explained that it was not yet available (I won’t be surprised if by now that too is available). CG and I quickly finished the food and got right back into shooting. Oh! It was a photographers' delight! God and Nature together enjoying each other's company!

The beautiful scene of the Purusha and Prakruthi

Once this session concluded, Swami moved out of the huge balcony. There was a hall by the poolside that was now full with the members of the Jadhav family tree - inclusive of the twigs and leaves this time! They had prepared themselves to perform padapooja for Swami. When requested, Bhagawan gladly consented to the Jadhav brothers’ plea to proceed with the ritual. He then moved into the hall where more than 200 were seated. I had not imagined that I would be witnessing a very unique and special padapooja, the likes of which I don’t think has been performed often for Swami. ​

to be continued in Part 6 published at the link given below.

Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 6 - Sathya Sai's message at Hadshi

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Also explore the 60-odd 'previous articles' listed month-wise on the top right here. Another blog which I maintain with more than 230 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".)

Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 4 - A shrine is born

A musical evening

Swami blesses Mr.Subrata Roy (above) and Mr.Shivraj Patil (below).

Swami had gone to His room after the evening tiffin session on the first day of our stay at Hadshi. Within a few minutes, He came down. It was about 5:50 p.m. and there were a few VIP guests who had come to meet Him. Notable among them were Mr. Shivraj Patil and Mr. Subrata Roy, the Managing "Worker" (as he calls himself) and Chairman of the Sahara Parivar, a multi-business conglomerate.

(Dear reader,

If you have come directly to this post, I would like to egg you on to enjoy the full story with its history.

Link to part 1 is given below and the link to the next part will be at the end of each previous part. Thank you.

Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 1 - The Blessing Materializes)

It is pertinent here that I mention another ‘faulty’ line of thinking that devotees and critics alike adopt with Swami. I am drawn into this here because apparently, Mr. Subrata Roy has got himself into some legal tangles. The question that people ask is this:

How can Swami bless someone who is not good/unethical/unrighteous and so on?

I say that this is a faulty line of thinking because we seem to be partial in the application of this line of thinking. We are convinced that God is only for the ‘Good’ and not for the ‘Bad’. (i put those words in quotes only to indicate that they are good and bad in our perspective. One man’s freedom-fighter is another man’s terrorist!) God’s love is for all though He always encourages the good over bad. And that is because good is definitely a greater reality than bad. But that does not mean that God deserts the ‘bad’. If He deserts the ‘bad’ then He is no God at all. The hypocrisy lies in the fact that we consider ourselves as ‘good’. God alone knows how many skeletons we have in our cupboards! And so, I feel, rather than spend time in wondering why certain people receive God’s blessings, we should focus on ourselves being good and persevering with it. After this little detour, I move back to the narrative.

Blessing them all, Swami moved out of the Mandir. As He came down, the bands and people in costumes lined the entire way. The temple had been lit and presented a beautiful sight. Bhajans were in progress, and as Swami approached the huge stage that had been set up for Him, songs in Marathi were sung. The bhajan singers were the likes of Kunal Ganjawalla and Raviraj Nasery; the former being a very popular name in the Indian music industry! The students followed Swami’s car. I ran up the stage to take pictures.

There was a swell of a crowd on the evening of the 28th of October as Swami came on stage and moved all around,
granting Darshan. 

As Swami alighted from His car, the first thing He did was to tell Nishikant, who was at the lead of all boys, to go up the stage. And so all the students moved up and took positions behind Swami's chair. Bhagavan took a quick round of the dais so that the thousands gathered could have His darshan.

When Swami was interacting with all of us and was 'inside', Swami was so human; He was like one among us and we too freely moved about Him. There was this intimacy with Swami, which sometimes bordered on the casual from our side. However, once outside, amidst the devotees, a strange, effulgence emanated from His face. I just watched in awe at the way this radiance transferred from Him to the faces of all the devotees assembled including myself! I was overwrought with wonder. "This is God. Don't ever forget that," I told myself.

Swami was now in the centre of the massive stage, listening to the songs of the singers who were seated below. The artists due to perform in the evening were also seated below. After a few songs, permission was sought to invite them on stage and Swami agreed.

The performers for the evening seek Divine blessings. Kavita Krishnamoorthy's daughter too was present. 

The musicians for the day were Nitin Mukesh, Kavita Subramaniam (Kavita Krishnamoorthy, as she is popularly known) and Sapna Mukherjee. They bowed to Swami and began their renditions. Nitin Mukesh, as he sang, held on dearly to the rose that had been blessed by Swami. He started the session with a Ganesh bhajan, Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva. The artists had decided to sing in turns, in rotation.

The crowd was overjoyed, for they were having Bhagavan’s darshan. A huge video-mixing console had been set up and there were moving cameras everywhere. The arrangements were more than elaborate and devotional songs filled the ambience in this beautiful setting. About nine songs later, Swami blessed the performers with sarees, shawls and white safari pieces. He asked Nitin Mukesh to come to Puttaparthi as well and perform.

It was a captivating night scene as Aarthi was performed to Swami at Hadshi, on the grand stage.

The flow of devotion to which we had to become 'walls'!

Aarthi was now offered, and as Swami moved down the ramp to the car, hundreds dived for an opportunity to touch His lotus feet.

Swami then drove back to the Residence. All of us had a good chance of a close darshan as we lined up on the way from the car till the main door of the Mandir. We were actually doing “Security Duty”. As we formed a tight cordon around Swami’s car, I remembered how noticing the devotees’ plight, Swami had once played with the term ‘volunteer’ as ‘wall-and-tear’! I was myself becoming one such wall, eliciting tears of separation from the devotee.

“But they are also tears of pining”, I consoled myself. Soon the Lord was in the Mandir.

God is the '1' that gives value to all the 0s that follow

The next moment, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted into our nostrils. Swami had dinner with the elders and then He called out, "Ay boys! Go and sit at the tables."

As He was on His way back, the inimitable Prof. Anil Kumar complimented the food saying that the quality of mango pickles (avakai) and gongura were unmatched! Swami was so happy and they had their little private chat. Then the All India President (AIP) of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Mr. V. Srinivasan, asked Swami whether the boys should go for morning walks as was the practice when Swami takes the boys to Kodaikanal. Bhagavan said that there was no need to do so. Entering the lift, Swami retired for the day.

We heartily dined and then returned to our rooms. It was a heavy meal and so Sudhindran, Anand and I went for a walk in the night. The temple was being prepared for inauguration the next day, and the whole area had been beautifully lit. The night air was cool.

An experience that we all felt throughout this trip was that of "oneness with God". Let me elaborate: All of us received the same love, reverence and devotion that Swami receives from the people. And all this was because we had on us the badge that proclaimed, ‘Bhagavan's Guest’. People would rejoice whenever they saw us because that, for them, was a sure indication that Swami was coming. In fact, even in our nightly stroll, we encountered a few people who asked us if Swami was coming down for darshan at that time! Living with God is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. The adoring eyes can soon turn critical if we do not conduct ourselves as befitting the divine tag. That was a lesson that seared itself across my consciousness that night.

However, it was not long before I could also see what our true status was. A security guard just brushed me aside and said that I had no permission to enter the gate that would lead me back to our quarters. I was in my T-shirt and track pants and had forgotten to carry my badge. I was shocked and did not know what to do. The very next instant, the security personnel’s behaviour, metamorphosed into one of humility and love when Anand flashed his badge and stood by me saying, “He is Swami’s student. Let him in!” Wow! It is Swami and Swami alone who means everything to everyone. Else, all of us are nothing! We rise in the eyes of the world, only because of our association and proximity with the Lord. Without Swami, we were insignificant nothings. This incident only demonstrated to me the axiom – “With God, we are heroes. Without Him, we are zeroes.”

The Ultimate Hero_ who does everything and acts as though He does nothing!

As we returned to the rooms, Sai Krishna came running to me and said that five of us would be privileged to sleep just outside Swami's door in the Mandir. That too was part of the security duty. Would I like to be one of them? It was a rhetorical question for me as I hurried and picked up my pillows and bed sheets to go towards the Mandir.

Gopi Sir who was shepherding us, enquired from all of us whether any of us snored at night.

“I don’t want any of you disturbing BHagawan with your ‘sound’ sleep!” he remarked. I remembered that my parents and sister had told me that I snore on some occasions. I just hid that truth and prayed to Swami that he control my body physiology so that I don’t lose this chance.

“Dear Swami, I have been given this body to get closer to you. Let me not do anything with it that takes me away from you - snoring included”, I prayed.

We were given beds and soon all of us lay down. A washroom next door was open for us to use and I really felt like a king as I saw the size of that room! My God, it was bigger than many living rooms that I had seen so far! When I returned, I thanked Swami for the many beautiful moments of the day, and bid a happy good bye to the first day of this lovely trip.

Sunrise - the beginning of the D day

Sunrise at Hadshi, silhouetting the Residence.

The sunrise at Hadshi is so beautiful. Sunrises have always fascinated me more than sunsets simply because I like the concept of ‘rising’ more than ‘setting’! Rising seems like birth while setting seems like death. However, the Truth of life is that there can be no sunrise without a sunset. And the faster I realize it, the better.

Since our rooms were on the western side of the Mandir, as the sun rose it presented a beautiful silhouette of the Residence. I was actually clueless when Harish told me, "Go up and shoot the sunrise!" Hurriedly I ran up and searched in vain in the western skies.

“Oh! Maybe this is another of Harish’s practical jokes”, I thought, and was about take the stairs down when suddenly my eyes fell on the gorgeous sunrise and I stood transfixed! I had foolishly been looking in the wrong direction! The sun was a big ball and looked so handsome and juicy. No wonder Lord Hanuman mistook it for a ripe fruit and lunged at the Sun God! The sun was that stunning orange that is so dear to anyone who knows Swami.

“This is almost like morning darshan”, I said to myself and did take a few good snaps. These photos would be playing a lovely part in an interaction we had with Swami later on.

The first view of the poolside breakfast area. The balcony is beyond
the glass doors and windows behind the breakfast counter.

Admiring the sunrise, I came down to ground realities of morning ablutions. We were all ready and received instructions to head to the poolside for breakfast. The others in the party consisted of mainly elders who stayed at a guesthouse, 100 metres from the Mandir on the eastern side. And there, adjoining the guest house, was a lovely swimming pool. It was really tempting when I realized that I had even carried my swimming shorts to Hadshi. But then, I realized there was no way I could jump in for a swim during a trip of this nature. I therefore drowned my ‘dripping’ desires.

The cool blue waters were an ethereal sight indeed!

At the poolside, the classic blue of the water was cooling and refreshing even to look at. There were other interesting exhibits too like a statue of a boy drawing water from a hot spring (wherein dry ice was used to create the steam effect), an antique lantern, and so on.

Even more impressive and inviting was another display - of dosas, vadas, upma, bread, toasts, juices, Maharashtrian poha, cornflakes in many flavours and the choicest of teas and coffees! The breakfast spread was sumptuous and the dining tables had been neatly arranged in a 3m x 50m balcony that afforded a breathtaking view of the hills and lake nearby! Everything that the eye could see from there belonged to the Jadhavs and it was a remarkable real estate holding to say the least. For the first time many boys requested for pictures of them eating in such a spot of natural splendour! I did oblige but till the moment the groans in my stomach allowed me too! The term breakfast was actually not appropriate, for we were not 'breaking' a 'fast' of any type! If anything we were all overworking our delighted Vaishvanaras!

Imagine breakfasting here, in the lap of nature, with sweeping views of hills and trees. 

Ganesha temple inauguration

By 8:30 a.m. we were all back at the Residence. Bravely we went upstairs and waited there for Swami to emerge. We knew this would be our complete private time with Swami as there was no one else except us at that hour. At about 9:15 the door opened and as soon as Swami saw us His eyes opened up wide as He exclaimed, "Ikkada unnara (You are all here)!”

And then He came towards us and said, "Paandi, paandi (Move, Move)”.

He wanted us to leave quickly. I wondered what the hurry was all about and as my mind was racing, my body was not! Swami saw this and called out, "Ae photographer...." He left the rest unsaid and my body immediately joined my mind in the race. Swami then told something to Jagadish which I am sure he has recorded in his personal diary. Hopefully someday I will be able to peek into it!

So we all rushed down and out to the darshan grounds. The "out" part did not pertain to CG and me as we stayed back to shoot in the Residence itself. Swami came out of the Residence and saw the family of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma who had come to pay their respects. Bhagawan then came on the upper porch from where the maestro's family could easily take padanamaskar. I did take good snaps of those moments.  But once Swami saw us, He said, "Pillalu paandi (Boys go)!” That was message enough and both of us immediately went down to the temples that awaited inauguration at the divine hands.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and his family seek Swami's blessings. 

The temple complex looked beautiful like a bride awaiting her groom. Fountains squirted lending a cool feeling to the entire atmosphere which was lit up brightly by the sprightly sun. The Ganesha temple was at the entrance and there were fountains behind which had been laced with detergent, so they foamed and looked icy. After gathering a few pictures of this picturesque setting with its reflection in the water, CG and I entered the shrine of Lord Ganesha.

A mere glance sufficed to realize why Swami was so insistent that we go before Him. The complex was packed and I sighted at least ten photographers and video cameramen in the premises. Swami's car was like a dam that held back surging floods behind it and once His vehicle was inside, the temple was almost washed away by the masses flooding in! There was a Sarvadharma Stoopa standing opposite to the sanctum sanctorum - only it was a stout variant of the one at Prashanthi Nilayam. Swami alighted from the car near the Stoopa and was flanked by a security perimeter consisting of security guards and the boys. Through the ramp He entered the small sanctorum. Fortunately, I managed to squeeze inside.

Swami lights the lamps and then, the eternal 'string-puller' pulls the string to do the life-instilling ceremony.

Shivajirao Jadhav, as commanded by Swami puts the neckalace
around his wife's neck.

The Pranaprathishta (the life-instilling ceremony after which the idol is considered as a Living God) in these parts of India is done in a different way compared to the South. A bundle of red and yellow coloured strings were tied at the base of the statue. Swami was handed the other end and He tugged at them. With that, the idols were now alive, charged into divine potency by the divine hands. Swami also lit the lamps in the temple. The Ganesha idol made of marble looked different. The sculpting styles in different regions in India shape the idols differently. This idol was so unlike the others I had seen in life so far; nevertheless it was beautiful. Swami was given a document which He went through quickly. He also blessed a pair of padukas with His sanctifying touch. Then when nobody expected, He materialized a beautiful golden necklace laced and studded with stones. Giving it to Shivajirao Jadhav, He asked him to place it around his wife's neck. Once that was done, Swami moved out.

A close up of the necklace that Swami created for Mr. Jadhav's wife.

Having understood the importance of being early at the scene of action from the experience at the Ganesha temple, CG and I ran out towards the next temple - the main shrine at Pandurangakshetra. Meanwhile, fireworks went off in the skies signaling to the gathered thousands that the Pranaprathistha (installation) at the Ganesha temple was complete.

to be continued in Part 5 at the following link:

Hadshi Mumbai diaries - Part 5 - The idols get instilled with life

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Also explore the 60-odd 'previous articles' listed month-wise on the top right here. Another blog which I maintain with more than 230 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".)