Yet another Chariot Festival…a traditional one…

Published on Wed, Nov 18, 2008 at 16.00 Hrs.IST

Less the twenty-four hours after peaking to ecstatic spiritual heights sighting the Lord granting Golden Chariot Darshan, Prasanthi witnessed yet another chariot festival, the traditional annual affair preceding the Divine Birthday celebration.

The traditional Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival) at Prasanthi Nilayam on the 18th Nov, every year brings unprecedented joy to the devoted villagers in and around Puttaparthi, a tradition that goes back to the early 1950’s. On this day, the idol of Venugopala Swami moves back to its origin in a chariot procession lead by the idols of Lord Rama and Mother Sita. After worship is offered to the deities, the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita return to the Mandir. Later, in the evening, the idols are taken out in a procession in the village of Puttaparthi, amidst joyous celebration by the villagers.

The grand procession started after the idols were blessed by Bhagawan inside the Bhajan Hall; the procession was lead by the little Sathya Geeta, followed Veda chanting and bhajans by group of students of the Sathya Sai University .  Bhagawan came out to the Gopuram gate to bless the procession accepting Managala Arathi. And the procession began…

Fresh from the preceding day’s astounding spectacle vividly enriched in the hearts and minds of multitudes, this was yet another occasion for Prasanthi Nilayam and Puttaparthi to rejoice…and there comes the big day 23rd November...