Ugadi, marking the dawn of the Parabhava Nama Samvatsara, was observed as a sacred and meaningful beginning to the New Year. The day unfolded through two heartfelt expressions of seva — one rooted in sharing love and companionship with elders, and the other in celebrating a collective journey of service in Chennai.
Together, these moments reflected the spirit of Ugadi — renewal, gratitude, and recommitment to a life of selfless action and devotion as guided by Bhagawan.
Sharing Festive Joy with Elders at Mathrushri Charitable Trust
Ugadi was made especially meaningful as volunteers, staff, and children visited Mathrushri Charitable Trust, home to nearly 30 elderly residents. The visit became a beautiful expression of togetherness, where the New Year was welcomed with warmth, presence, and genuine care.
Volunteers spent unhurried moments with the elders — listening to their stories, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and creating bonds that transcended age and circumstance. Bhajans resonated through the space, filling the home with devotion and festive cheer, and uplifting the sanctity of the day. Children tied handmade bracelets to the elders, giving them a source of joy as a keepsake.
Extending the spirit of seva further, the Sri Sathya Sai Kshema Dayini team conducted health check-ups for all residents, including blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring and eye check-ups. Wherever required, further guidance was provided, along with support for spectacles and follow-up care.
The gentle smiles that emerged during the visit were a quiet reminder of how deeply meaningful love, attention, and presence can be — especially for those who live in silence and solitude. For the children, the day became a living lesson in compassion, gratitude, and the sacred responsibility of caring for elders.
After the visit, the volunteers gathered in quiet reflection, pausing to absorb the experience and contemplate their own journey of service. Each heart was filled with gratitude — for the opportunity to serve, and for Bhagawan’s timeless guidance that continues to shape this path.
The visit concluded with the sharing of prasadam, marking a peaceful and fulfilling close to the seva.
Chennai Seva Milestone: Celebrating 100 Sevas and 3 Years of Service
A Journey of Love, Humility, and Gratitude
Ugadi was doubly joyous as Chennai volunteers came together to mark the completion of 100 sevas and the third anniversary of seva in their city. This was more than a numerical milestone; it was a celebration of a journey shaped by love, humility, and the opportunity to serve as instruments in Bhagawan’s divine mission.
Each seva offered over the years has touched lives in quiet yet profound ways — extending compassion to both people and animals, and nurturing a spirit of unity and selflessness.
The volunteers reminisced, reflected, and offered their gratitude to Bhagawan, expressing their love through soulful bhajans. Their hearts were filled with reverence for His constant guidance and unseen grace that has accompanied them at every step of this journey.
Volunteers offering bhajans with devotion and gratitude
A simple cake-cutting ceremony, followed by the sharing of prasadam, added warmth and joy to the celebration, reflecting the beauty of simple togetherness. The gathering concluded with the offering of Aarathi to Bhagawan, bringing the celebrations to a serene and fulfilling close.
On this auspicious beginning of the New Year, prayers were offered for many more opportunities to serve, to grow inwardly, and to live His message — where love naturally finds expression through selfless action.
Reflections on Ugadi
Ugadi reminds us that life is a sacred blend of many experiences — joy and challenge, sweetness and learning — much like the Ugadi Pachadi that symbolises the many flavours of existence. Each moment, when embraced with awareness and faith, shapes our journey and guides us toward deeper understanding and inner strength.
With Bhagawan’s blessings, Ugadi became not just a celebration of the New Year, but a reaffirmation of love, service, and human connection — truly a SAI way of welcoming what lies ahead.
