The day Puneites have been praying to dawn faster finally arrived. While the mood was upbeat at the picturesque panoramic reflection of God’s natural aesthetic marvel, Hadshi in Pune housing Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra, the latest Abode for the God in physical frame, back in Prasanthi the mood was definitely somber as her Beloved Lord was set to depart for a week-long visit to Pune and Mumbai.
28th October morning dawned in Prasanthi setting herself to bid farewell to her Beloved Bhagawan. Devotees aiming at best possible darshan were dispersed at convenient locations, many in the Mandir, some on the three kilometer stretch leading to the Sri Sathya Sai Airport and some at the Airport vicinity, aiming to catch a glimpse of the flying chariot taking off.
Jet Airways owned chartered Jet Airliner Boeing 737-700 carrying Bhagawan along with His “Group of 50” and crew took off from the Sri Sathya Sai Airport at 8:30 a.m. for a seventy minute onboard sojourn with the Divine. Reports received from Pune indicate that the Divine Chariot landed at Pune Airport at 9:40 a.m. Bhagawan was given a rousing welcome at the Pune Airport, led by former Home Minister of India, ardent devotee of Bhagawan Sri Shivaraj Patil and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Ashok Chavan.
While Bhagawan set off directly to the Jadhav’s residence at Pune, the “Group of 50” was headed towards Hadshi, the picturesque location privileged to host the Divine. Bhagawan is scheduled to arrive at the venue, Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra at 11:30 a.m. and would be inaugurating the Triune Temple at 12:00 noon.
Earlier, Bhagawan set off to the Sri Sathya Sai Airport at 8:00 a.m. blessing the concourse of devotees assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall, receiving Mangala Arathi. At the Airport Bhagawan was received with Poornakhumbham by the Airport staff led by Airport Director, Capt. Sharma. Upon reaching the Airport, Bhagawan unveiled a newly erected statue of Lord Hanuman, pressing the remote button. Bhagawan’s entourage includes twenty five students, that includes current students as well as those who are working in various institutions in the Ashram, namely, Sri Sathya Sai University, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust and senior devotees including Prof. G. Venkataraman, Mr. S.V.Giri, Prof. Anil Kumar and ‘family’ members.
