The third anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam was joyfully celebrated as ‘Vaatsalyam Day’ on the auspicious occasion of Sankranti. The day unfolded as a sacred blend of devotion, gratitude, and celebration, marking three years of love and service guided by the timeless message of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The celebrations began in the morning with a Sahasra Modaka Homa, followed by Panchaamruta Abhishekam and a beautiful alankaram of Sri Sathyaatmatva Mahaganapathy. The evening festivities featured a reflective talk by Brother Harshit K. S, and concluded with an enthralling Hindustani Jasrangi concert by Dr Avinash Kumar and Dr Rindana Rahasya.
Sankranti Morning Celebrations: A Sacred Beginning
Sankranti, celebrated in myriad ways across the country, holds a special place at Vaatsalyam as it commemorates the anniversary of the campus itself. Three years of selfless service and spiritual growth came together in a celebration that transcended words.
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba beautifully explains the inner significance of Sankranti. While the festival outwardly marks the Sun’s movement towards the north, true north symbolises the inward journey of the mind — towards realisation and liberation. Sankranti thus serves as a gentle reminder to turn our awareness inward, towards the heart, and to align our thoughts, actions, and intentions with higher ideals. Only when we strive for this inner transformation does “Samyak Kranti Iti Sankranti” truly come alive.
The morning celebrations commenced with the Sahasra Modaka Homa, performed by the priests amidst Vedic chants and bhajans. Devotees gathered and actively participated by offering prayers, culminating in the sacred Purnahuti.
Following this, Abhishekam was performed to the utsava moorthy of Sri Sathyaatmatva Mahaganapathy using traditional dravyams such as milk, curd, honey, fruits, sugarcane juice, and coconut water. The ritual was followed by a truly devotional alankaram, with the Lord seated upon His Mooshika Vaahana, adorned with fragrant flower garlands.
The morning festivities concluded with Maha Mangala Aarti offered to Lord Ganesha and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. A deep collective feeling of gratitude permeated the atmosphere — a blessing to have Sri Sathyaatmatva Mahaganapathy as a guiding presence through every endeavour over the past three years.
An Evening of Delighting Music and Reflections
The evening celebrations began with a talk by brother Harshit K. S., an alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions and a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, and Lawyer. Sharing his reflections on “Transition from Working for Swami to Working with Swami”, he spoke about how Swami’s divine guidance has been a constant blessing — transforming work into a lived experience of companionship with the Divine.
This was followed by a mesmerising Jasrangi concert by Dr Avinash Kumar and Dr Rindana Rahasya, a Delhi-based vocalist couple and accomplished exponents of Indian Classical Music. Specialists in Khayal, semi-classical forms, and Nirguni Bhajans, they blend scholarly depth with expressive artistry. They are also distinguished practitioners of the rare Moorchhana Bhed–based singing style, popularly known as Jasrangi, conceptualised and propagated by the legendary Padma Vibhushan awardee, Pandit Jasraj.
They were ably accompanied on the Tabla by Sri Santosh Hegde and Sri Gururaj Adukal, and on the Harmonium by Dr Gajanan.
The concert was nothing short of spellbinding. Children, villagers, and volunteers alike were mesmerised by the artists’ mastery, devotion, and emotional depth. The evening featured renditions of Raag Kalavati and Raag Abhogi, along with beloved compositions such as Kaanada Raaja Pandaricha and Hari Mhana, leaving the audience uplifted and immersed in devotion.
Marking Three Years of Grace and Service
Celebrated in the spirit of Sankranti and the third anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam, Vaatsalyam Day marked three years of devoted service and collective growth. From sacred rituals in the morning to uplifting reflections and soul-stirring music in the evening, the day reaffirmed the grace of having Bhagawan’s presence guiding every endeavour.
As Vaatsalyam steps into another year, the celebrations echoed a quiet yet powerful prayer — to continue walking this path of love, harmony, and selfless service, together.
