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Prashanthi Bullettin -
February 6th, 2006
Chinese New Year
Celebrations at Brindavan....
February 6th, 2006
The Chinese Lunar New Year was celebrated by devotees in
Brindavan on the 6th of February. The Sai Ramesh Hall was
beautifully decorated in Red to usher in the Lunar New Year.
As is the normal routine, Bhajans began at 9:30 a.m. by the
devotees from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and
Thailand. At 9:45 a.m., Swami emerged from the Trayee
Brindavan gates, led by a procession of two lions performing
the lion dance to the beat of the drummers. There were also
two people with masks, dressed as dolls, dancing along with
the lions holding typical Chinese hand-fans. Swami was
escorted to the Sai Ramesh Hall by a few children and a
couple of families. Swami then went up and down the whole
length of Sai Ramesh Hall in His chair along the central
aisle, giving the devotees His most coveted Darshan from
closer quarters. He also filled the hearts of the Chinese
devotees with joy as he went around them a couple of times
accepting their letters and offerings of love.
He took the elevator on the gent's side up to the stage. All
in all, Darshan was for around 20 minutes. Chinese Bhajans
started and thereafter the Group presented Swami with
presents like Chinese Tea, Chinese Cake, Mandarin Oranges,
Chinese Scrolls which had magical characters inscribed on
them to usher good luck and fortune and sweets in Red
Packets. These Items signify Prosperity, Peace, Harmony, and
Good Health for the Coming Year. Swami was making a lot of
queries on the Chinese Scrolls. Swami went through the
scroll for nearly 5 to 10 minutes!
After this ceremony, Swami listened to a few Chinese New
Year group songs and even Bhajans which had their lyrics in
Mandarin, though they borrowed tunes of familiar Bhajans
sung here. They also chanted the mantra "Om Mani Padmey Hum"
several times. These songs and chants were punctuated by a
short fifteen minute skit that revealed the inner
significance of the New Year celebrations that span a period
of fifteen days starting from the 6th of February.
Devotees from Singapore too got an opportunity to sing a few
Bhajans towards the end, after which Arati was offered and
Prasadam (red packets, of course!) were distributed. Swami
retired to Trayee at around 11 a.m.
Bhajans started at 5 p.m. in the evening. Bhagawan walked in
by the curtained entrance at 5.25 p.m. He gave blessings
while holding on to the railings and then sat down. Bhajans
continued till 6.10 p.m. Swami then stood up for Arati,
giving Blessings for the whole duration of the Arati. He
then sat down and waved several times before being wheeled
out.
As for the usual schedule here at Brindavan, it goes like
this .. Every morning, Bhajans start at 9.30 a.m. whether
Swami comes out or not. Bhajans usually continue until
either indication comes to stop and take Arati or Swami
comes out. Usually Swami comes out sooner or later, more
often later. Typically, Bhajans go on till well past 10.30
a.m., at times even after 11 o clock. Whenever Swami comes,
He sits for long sessions of 45 minutes and even more.
In the evenings too, the same pattern follows. Bhajans start
at 5.00 p.m. Swami usually comes out anytime during the
Bhajans. Some days, He has come out at 6.05 p.m. too, just
as everybody, and especially the singers, almost give up
hope of having His Darshan and He then sits till after 6.30
p.m. On two such occasions, He made Mr. Ajit Popat of the UK
speak to the devotees. On two consecutive Sundays, we had
the students putting up song and speech programmes. Every
session, Swami comes walking for Bhajans and invariably,
goes back walking, i.e. from the door at the rear of the
stage to His Chair on the dais and back the same way after
Bhajans.
Source:
http://radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm
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