Chapter 14: Purnahuti Celebration

Ati Rudra Maha Yagna’s poornahuti was a grand celebration. Poornahuti celebration surged energy and vibrations that were very new and thrilling to us.  the sacrificial flames consuming the sacred offerings were rising and higher with the torrential flow of arghya from a specially esthetically carved long wooden spoon.

The Poornahuti offerings were too many. A few that I remember amidst the excitement were a saree into which several sugandha dhravyalu were bundled. There were rows of plates containing herbs and spices. Cloves, Cardamom, Camphor, Joss sticks, Sandal woods,  Oranges, Bananas, Huge Pineapples, Sugarcanes, Lotus flowers, Bilwa Leaves, Cotton cloths, Various grains, and tin loads of Ghee.

As the various ingredients were offered into the sacred flames, the flames raised higher and higher and fumes and smokes of the burning of the herbs and grains filled the atmosphere, or should I say the entire cosmos. Raw offerings even fruits and cane sugars got consumed into the flames. The heat was evolving was intense.


After all offering were made, then a the huge spoon was held over the Homa gunda, to which the dhaara pathra was hung. Ghee was filled into the Dhaara pathra. The heat from the home gunda liquefied the Ghee inside the Dhaara pathra, and stream of it flowed into the flames accompanied by the heightened chorus of sacred manthras of poornahuti.

For the final iteration, cupfuls of ghee were poured from the swan shaped opening of the spoon. Grand celebration came to grand conclusion as all the offerings were consumed by The Divine.

There was a deep sense of peace and cosmic silence dawning in my heart. It all appeared like creation…of a universe, may be only He knows. The flames raised higher and consumed everything offered. The flames did not burn, but cooled and cleansed. The vedic recitations were at the top pf our voices and the peace was sinking deeper and deeper.

Culminating part of Ati Rudra Maha Yagna was the Maha Kumbhabhiskekam. The sacred vessels that represented the sacred rivers of all lands, enshrined the presiding deities of the sacred waters were waiting for their turn to serve the Lord. Rudra Parayana was started on one more iteration.  Saayeshwara was bathed with the sacred waters from the Kalasams, I was reminded of the gangavatahranam scene, where in Mighty torrential flow of Ganga flowed from the matted locks of the Cosmic Shiva standing on the Himalayas.

In 2006, after poornahuti, Swamy was on stage and was in front of the Sayeeshwara Linga, while Kumbhabhishekam was being performed. The scene was inexplicably beautiful and the following photograph illustrates it.

Kumbhabhishekam was followed by chanting of santhi mantras, decorations and asthavadhana seva and Maha Mangala harathi. Shanti Mantras prayed for peace to all beings, in all worlds. It was not a coincidence at all of us felt Swamy’s face in the main alter shone with peculiar luster. He looked so very Handsome and charming. It takes one to be Adi Shankacharya to describe the Soundarya in a Lahari (torrential waves of beauty).

Maha-Mangala Harathi was offered Sri Sathya Sai Paramatma.

Mama addressed us all after the conclusion of the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna. He reminded us how fortunate we all are to be a part of a such a beautiful and sacred Yagna conducted in the Cosmic presence of Swamy. The distinction was the previous yagnas were performed in the Physical Presence and this was Blessed by the Cosmic Omnipresence of Swamy.  He gratefully thanked everyone who supported the event.  The loving food served, the immense back stage support, continuous supply of essential items like Logs and pooja items, Hospitality… everything.

He lovingly asked us to go and take prasadam and rest fully and assemble in Swamy’s residence as late as 0800 AM the next morning.  We were so touched by His particular remembrance and expressing gratitude to each and everyone of the coordinating team. 

The celebrations here not yet over. Chinese lanterns were ready! Kids and Veterans enjoyed flying them alike. Bold messages were written on them and were flown up to make it loud and clear. Everyone jumped and squeaked and yelled and enjoyed thoroughly. All the lanterns flew towards Esanya, in the direction of Kailasam, one after the other like army aircrafts. 

Dinner was waiting for us. Poornahuti Prasadam was served and  a deep sense of joy and satisfaction was immanent on the face of all. We couldn’t get sleep, we were too excited to rest. Each one was talking about his personal experience during the yagna. It was already the early hours of the next day by the time we retired.

Chapter 13: Bhajans

Swamy liked bhajsn that were sung Love and Bhava. Bhajan sessions in Sai Dashini were at their best. Thai devotees, Balinease devotees, Malaysian devotees, Bal Vikas devotees, and devotees from India sang sonorious bhajans saturated with Love and devotion.

Ham ko tumse pyar hai kitna, was the favourite song that echoed the mood of the entire gathering, expressig the Love between Lord and His Devotees.

Fast paced Shiva bhajans and excited and elevated the mood, and those sung by the Bal Vikas children were awe-inspiring. Bhajans were elevating, stirring and filled with Love for Sai.  

Chapter 12: Evening Sessions.

After the completion of Mangala Haarathi, we all gathered in the Mandir, to see Swamy, and the Lingam that was decorated.

There were flashes and clicks all around. Sayishwara and Sayishwara were so adorably beautifully. It was prasadam time. We assembled in the Prasada-alaya to gratefully recieve the bkessed prasadam. The serving was hot and saturated with Love.

We changed our deeksha avstrams and rested for a while. Our discussion would invariably about Swamy. ARMY 2006, 2007, 2010 personal experieences were on the topic boards.

After a short nap, ritwiks would take a bath, get ready for the next session. In the mean while, a few of us, cleaned the entire yagashaala, the yagna gundas, bedecked with paddy and seseame seads, and flowers.

Next session's prepration including seating arrangements for the Ritwiks, placing logs of wood by the yagna gundas, baskets of sacred offerings ready, cleaning the vessels that would be used for the abhishekam, setting the various items like camphos, flowers etc handy were made, quicky, all under the watchful Presence of the Lord.

At 04:00PM every one was present in the Yagashala, ready for commencing the next session. Ganapathi Prarthana, invocatory prayers were chanted. 132 ritwiks voiced Sri Rudram in Unision, and another session of the cosmic event bagan.

Swamy's residence on the top floor had large windows of the sides. One such window was on the Western Wall. As the evening sun set, Sun's Rays from the window directly bathed the Lingam. It was a visual treat for all of us. The droplets of water that rebounded from the flower on the Lingam looked like drops of light and shining diamonds in the flood of Sun light.


After the nineth iteration, it would be around 05:30 PM and clouds would cover the brigh skies and it invariably rain everyday, through the yagna. The intensity of the rain was so high that the noise of droplets of water hitting the yaagashaal's roof would dominate our chanting voice. Were the clouds competing with us, in chanitng rudram in their own language? or was it the direct abhishekam of the entire assembly by the devas and classes of higher beings pouring in through the clouds...we never know.

At about 06:00 PM, the Rudra Parayana would conclude and a short break for performing sandhya vandanam, and coffee to relax the vocal chords. Singers would assemble with their instruments and sing melodious Bhajans, and simultaneously the Siva Bhaktas decorated the Lingam in befitting style. In about twenty minutes time, every one returned to the Yagashaala and the next session began.

It would by dark by 06:30 PM, dark clouds hovering the skies. Sacred flames dormant in the yagna gundas would be raised by piling in logs and fanning. In a few minutes all the Yagna gundas would be blazing with high rising flames.

Darshan through the Yagagudas can only be experienced and enjoyed, and the beauty of the sight can not be described.

Yagnaacharya would lead the team and proceed with various invocatory rituals. Rudra Homam commenced in after a short duration. Evening sessions were specially more beautifully. The entire sorrounding area, beyond the Yagashaala and His residence was in dark and the Yagna gundas were alive with flames raised for sacred offerings.

Rudra Homam was followed by various Upacharas and Asthavadhana Seva. On the evening of Sixth, Bala Vikas Students from Malaysia and Indonesia offered Mahishsura Mardhini stotram to Swamy. The stortam was rendered with perfect anotation, diction, pronunciation and instrumenal accompanyments.

On the seventh the brahma of the celebration, Pranavaswarupanada swamyji rendered Siva Kavacha stortam, On another evening, the Lady Chanters and Devotees sang beautiful songs for Sai - "Hamko tumse pyar hai kitna, Sai tumhi jaanete". Male singers offered Special Bhajans.

Renderings from Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Veda were unique, and never repeated. Various stotrams, in praise of Sadguru, Sri Mahavishnu, Shiva, Devi, were made all for the pleasure of Swamy. It was a jouyous experience to be an audiece to the great court of Lord Sayishwara where Vedic Scholars and Learned men offered all their skills to Him. We had the pleasure of receiving the Prasadam of their Naivedyam.

Aarathi in various forms, with single wick, with five wicks, with hundred wicks, and camphor was offerd to Sayishwara. Tiny jyothis infornt of the Parmjoti were so beautiful.


On the evenin gof Sixth, while were moving in the Yagahaala, we noticed that the Pavithra Paadam, or the Sacred Path between the Rows, where special designs were painted, exclusively for Swamy, was very hot, in complete contrast to the tiles just next to the Sacred Path. The adjasent tiles were at ambient temperature, while the tiles below the Pavithra Padam were hot. We could only guess what could have happened. When reported to Mama, he said the event is blessed by His presence, is had been proven beyond doubt.


Since no Seva dals were designated, ritwiks ourselves took turns in various events like cleaning the yagashala after the sessions, serving prasadam, etc during which our bonds with each other and with our Divine Parent strengthened.

Mama and his troupe - Ramaanada Sarma, Badari, Dr. Sathya, Julius were invariably the last ones to arrive for having dinner. Mama ate frugally, and the serving batch would sit with him and dine. We would ask him about the significance of various events and rituals that were performed that day during the Yagna, and hewould explain them elaboratey, with patience and without a trace of discomfort. His body language was reflecting the Love that he had soaked from Swamy. He also narrated so many stories and personal encounters with Swamy, episodes of Love and Grace HE showered so profusely on him and HIS devotees. Often his hands would dry talking to us, and it would weel cross twelve in the night. despite the next days schedule, henever complained or short circuited his narrairions to go to bed.

We would then wash out vesthis and other cloths, dry them, chat and share Ananda, and it would invaraibly One or Two early in the morning before we actually went to bed! Nextday as usual began at five AM with Aumkaram and Suprabhatam.

Chapter 11: Yagnam

After the Abhishekam and Decoration of the Lingam, preparations for Homam began. Mama sat at the position for the Chief Priest and started the procedures for igniting the Sacred Fires. It was very different from as it is done in Homam programs elsewhere. Several deities were invoked and were welcomed to protect the Yagna and accept the prayers.

Agni for the Homam was lit and was raised in the Main homa gunda. Various mantras continued to be chanted. Elaborate rituals including offering Padyam, Arghya, Achamanam, Aasanam, Naivedyam, were offered to the deities welcomed into the Homa gunda. Havya Vahana, the God of Fire was appeased with reverential prayers to carry the offerings to the respective Deities. Flames started to higher, in resonance with the voice of the Ritwiks. The energy surge was intense and vibrations were very strongly felt, it was immanent that a cosmic event had started / occurred. Worship to the presiding deities of the eight corners was performed. Darbha grass was placed on the four sides. The yagna gunda was a site of divine commotion, with guardian angels protecting it from all directions and Lord witnessing the event seated on His throne!

After proper and accurate procedures as prescribed in the Shaivagama, Agni was split into eleven portions. The sacred flames were received at each Homa gundam with mantras, after which they were again raised with Mantras. Now the prayers and rituals started at each homa gundam.  

After appropriate rituals for raising the flames, Ganapathi Homam, Sai Gayathri Homam were performed.

Sonorous veda mantras from the Ganapathi Atharvaseersham appended with Swaahakaara reverberated the entire yagashaala.
Offerings for various other deities were made. After all these, then finally Rudra Homa commenced. Rudram was chanted by the eleven priests sitting around the Homa gundam, and was led by the Yagna Acharya.

Rudra Parayanam that we chanted earlier was aggrandized with swaaha after each couplet of names.

Baskets with Jaggery mixed with Dark Sesame seeds and Paddy were placed before each Ritwik for making the offerings.  

The Yagna Acharya gave instructions as to how to make the offerings, and all followed. At each Swaahakaram, the Yagna acharya offered Ghee, and simultaneously all the Ritwiks offered the Paddy-Sesame-Jaggery mix. The timing of chanting Swaaha and making offerings was perfect as prescribed in the Shastras. There was no delay at all. Logs of fire woods and bowlsful of Ghee stated to get consumed in no time. The flames raised higher and higher. It was a wonderful sight. The paddy seeds popped like pop corn in the Yagna gunda, and the entire yagna shaala reverberated with a million tiny popping sounds emerging from the Yagna gunda. The jaggery melted and released a lot of heat. The logs of wood started to get reduced into ashes, and a divine fragrance filled the entire atmosphere. Every sense had the complete pleasure that could be enjoyed. There was the wonderful Darshan of Swamy through the high raising flames, with His ocher robe merging into the flames. He was granting the Darshan of the Yagna Purusha. Only His beautiful face with a Gentle Loving smile was visible. His face was shining like mid day sun, nay, the luster on His face during the Yagna is incomparable and is Unique!

The Swaahakarams went louder and louder as the pace of the Chant increased. The popping of paddy continued as intense heat generated from the Homa gundas. The heat was strangely not causing trouble of Burning. It may be said that we got used to it like boiling frogs… only those who have experienced it know what I am talking about.

Rudra Parayanam was followed by Chamaka Parayanam, where in there was one Swaha after the entire Anuvakam. Each of us got up and stood, with Offerings in our double handfuls, and prayerfully let them into the fires at the Swaahakaram.

After the final iteration, special annotations at a very high pitch were chanted aloud. The mantras were prolonged and streached to the particluar prescribed scale of rendering. (at which almost all of us except Yagna Acharyas had shreiked and our voices sounded like split bamboo)

After Rudra Homam, other customary chants continued and finally thanks giving salutation to Havya Vahana was offered. Thus the Homam part concluded.  

After Homam, Mama got up and performed puja to Lord Sayeeshwara.  Salutations to Adityamaka Sri Rudra was done.

Dhoopamam was offered.  

Salutations to Maha Deva ityadhi Ekadasa Rudra , Deepam Darshayami - Efflugance of Deepam was offered to the Paran jyothi.

After offering Dhoopam and Deepam, Achamya, water was offered to the His Divine Highness, who had so kindly graced the occassion by His Presence,  , which was followed by offering sacred scented flowers and leaves, for His pleasure.

Naivedyam was offered, which was followed by Neerajanam as the chants “Brahmatman vaya srujatam, Aatman, aatman, nityamantrayatam” reached peak voice. Neerajam with deepam with one wick, with five wicks and Meru neerajanam was offered. Sayeeshwara in both the forms received the offerings.

After aarathi with camphor, mantrapushpam was chanted and flowers of mantras was offered to Sayishwara. Vedic Aarathi mantram Yo vedadau swara prokto, vedante cha pratishtithaha, tasay prakruti leenasya, yah paraswa maheshwaraha was chanted in Unision.

Then started the grand celebration of offering Asthavadhana seva to Saiparameshwara. Various privileged offerings of Upacharas (services commanded by the Lord) like Pushpam, Patram, Chatram, Chamaram, Nritya Darshanam, Geeta Shravanam, Taambulam, Samastha Rajopachara, Daivopachara, Bhktyopachara, Shodashopacharas were offered to Sayeeshwara.

Then a chant “ Deerghatama” from Rig Vedam was offered,

Om ayam puro bhava from yajur vedam was chanted in high pitch which concluded with hari om Swasthi.

A sloka Om Uchaha Tejaaha, Saaman Dhaa sahaaha, from Saama veda was offered to Adityatmaka Sri Rudra, who enjoys listening to Saama Veda.

Kailasa Shikhare ramie, Shakarasya Shivalaye, from Shiva Sankalpam chant was offered from Atharvana Vedam

Vyasaya Vishnu roopaya was chanted from the sacred scripture.

Then Panchanga Sravanam was offered.

This was followed by a verse read out from Upanishads.

Then a stotram was read out to Lord.

After this a song was sung out to the Lord for His pleasure.

The Asthavadhana seva concluded with Samastha Sanmagalani Bhavanthu.

It was time was Maha Mangala Haarathi. Om Jay Jagadeesha Hare with all accompaniments sounding at their loudest in tune with the song reverberated as more than a hundred voices emotionally sang and prayed Swamy “Mangala Haarathi Anduko Mandhara giri dhari” .

First session of the Ati Rudra Maha  Yagna concluded with samastha loka sukhino bhavantu chant and shaasthanga namaskaram by all.

Chapter 10: Rudra Parayana and Rudra Abhishekam

Rudra Parayana

On the Morning of the Sixth, session began at 04:30 AM with preparations for Aumkaram and Suprabhatam. After which priests performed Sandhya Vandanam. At 06:00 the all the ritwiks wore beautiful Yellow Panchi and Angavastram.

Morning prayers commenced with Maha Ganapathi puja, Vasthu Homam, Praana Pratistha, Netronmeelanam and Fixing the Lingam on to the pedestal with a sacred gum that was prepared with appropriate mantras accompanying its preparation.

The Lingam was named after the Presiding Deity, Sayeeshwara. Henceforth the lingam is no more an idol but a Living Deity, with Lord residing in it, accepting our prayers and blessing the devotees.

All the rituals were performed strictly performed as prescribed in the Shastras.

After the connected rituals of Praanapratistha were concluded, the Lingam was established on to the platform, right in front of Swamy’s Regal Throne , just as it was in 2006!

Chanting of Aruna Parayanam commenced. The sonorous chants were followed by personal purification through Maha Nyasa Parayana. Maha Nyasa Parayana was followed by chants from various portions of the Vedas and Upanishads.

After this session Mama gave us a fifteen minute break to have coffee and breakfast.  

All of us were eagerly waiting for the next session. The Rudra Parayana. Swamy has spoken about Rudram at length, and this is one chant that appeases Him very much. Every one charged to commence the parayana for the Preethi of Sathya Sai Parameshwara.

Aum Namo Bhagavathe Rudraya!  And it commenced. The prayer for universal Peace and Prosperity, the Highest Prayer, the prayer to appease Sayishwara had started.

It was a four hour continuous chant. Mama performed abhishekam to the Lingam as the iterations proceeded.

Abhishekam was performed with pure water that was purified with mantras. The Lingam that Swamy had blessed Mama with was also placed on the Paana vattam and abhishekam was performed.

The sacred baths offered to Sayishwara are as follows:

1. Sudhodaka snanam  - pure water bath
2. Pachamrutha Snanam – Bath with five nectarine fluid
3. Ksheera snanam – Bathing with Milk
4. Dadhyaa Snapayami – Bathing with Yogurt  
5. Aajyena Snapayami – Bathing with Ghee
6. Madhuya  Snapayami – Bathing with Honey
7. Shakkaraya Snapayami – bathing with Sugars
8. Phala Snanam – Bathing with variety of fruits
9. Divya Parimala Gandhokadakena Snapayami - sandal water
10. Pushpodakena snapayami – Water scented with the fragrances of flowers
11. Akshatodakena Snapayami  - Water charged with the powers of Akshata
12. Nava Ratna Khajita Suvarnodakena Snapayami - golden water
13. Divya Parimala Bhasmodakena snapayami – Water with divine fragrant ashes
14. Spatika- Rudrakshaodakena snapayami  - water charged with spatika and rudraksha
15. Bilvodakena snapayami – water charged with the efficacies of Bilwa leaves
16. Doorvodakena snapayami - water charged with the efficacies of Doorva leaves
17. Haridrodakena snapayami – bath with turmetic water
18. Kumkumodakena snapayami  - bath with Kumkum water

After this the Dhaara Pathra was plaved over the Lingam from with a steady torrential stream of water or milk was poured on to the Lingam. Haarati was offered and a flower was placed on the Lingam, to soften the effect of the current of water bathing the Lingam from the pot above.

It was a wonderful sight for the Gods to watch, every time a fresh flower was placed after every iteration and the Lingam appeared in the shade of the flower, so beautiful with each flower. I guess we all too are like that, each a flower, with Swamy, and He is unique with each one Us!

It was an altogether different feeling to chant Rudram in a group of over 150 ritwiks. I observed that I was not getting tiered even after the 6th iteration! , whereas my vocal chords would start to complain after third iteration elsewhere. It was definitely a sign of immense energy being generated during the prayer. As Rudram was being chanted, Abhishekam with Milk continued. The pace kept going faster with each iteration, but the clarity of the pronunciation was never compromised upon.  

After the Rudraparayana and Rudra Abhishekam, the Lingam was cleaned, wiped cleaned with a soft towel, like a baby, and was decorated with flowers and various designs of Tumeric and Vermillion. It was a surprise every time to see a beautiful decoration of the Sayeeshwara.

In the mean while, Bhajans were sung for the pleasure of the Lord and preparations for the Yagna were quickly made.  

Chapter 9: Yagna Preparations

Evening Bhajans commenced at 05:00 PM. Buddhist Monks were invited to His Residence's Prayer Hall and were offered traditional gifts and food.

The Auspicious evening session commenced with prayers to Ganapathi. Maha-Sankalpam was made for performing the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna. Afterwards Svasthi Vaachanam, Svasthi Punyaaha Vaachanam (prayers for auspiciousness and blessings for the Yaaga and the people) took place.

This is for the negation and purification of any inadvertent errors in conducting the Yaaga, or any impurities in the materials used. This is traditionally done before any auspicious religious ceremony is conducted.

Kalashapooja was performed inviting deities to occupy their positions in various places and in the to protect the Yagna and the Ashram during the celebrations.


Bimba Sudha was performed to remove any defects in the idol that might have been during the Idol making.

Prayers continued and chanting of Sri Rudram commenced. The Lingam was bathed in Water (Jalaadhi Vaasa) followed by Milk (Ksheeradi Vaasa). All devotees participated in Ksheeradhi Vaasa. After Ksheeradhi vasa, Pushpa Phaladhi vasa was performed. A sacred thread was tied to teh lingam as Rakshabandhanam. This was followed by Shayyadi Vaasa.

The Shayyadheevasa ('sleeping' of the Lord) was next performed. The lingam was placed in a cozy bed with fruits, flowers and incense. Lullaby was sung and various types of aarathi was performed, which included Aarathi with a single oil wick, with five oil wicks and Meru Aarathi, followed by Camphor Aarathi. Sentries - Indra on the East, Agni (S.E), Yama (S), Nirariti (SW), Varuna (W), Vayu (NW), Kubera (N), Shiva (NE), Brahma (above) and Ananta (below) - were posted to ensure a peaceful rest to the Lord!

With these Agama Shastra Rites, the Ashtavadhana Seva, the day’s ceremonies concluded with the Maha Mangala Aarathi.

Next was distribution of Deeksha Vastrams. All the ritwiks were given Deeksha Vastram kit. It was ceremonial function that was personally performed by Swmay in the Bhajan Mandir in 2006.

 He was personally presiding over the ceremony here as the organizers distributed the kits.

For the lady chanters, rich golden border sarees were offered. Exactly of the Prasanthi standard. Our kits had Two Panchi and Angavastrams (long pieces of cloths for draping on the lower and upper body). A soap, tooth paste, tooth Brush, A turkish towel, A Hand towel and few other essential items.

With this the evening session came to a close.

The Chief Priest announced that we were to assemble in the Yaga Shaala by 06:00 AM for the first session of the Yagna.

We had our dinner. It was party of devotees dining together. And it was not over for the day. After Dinner preparation for the next day continued. Decorations, cleaning the Yaga Shaala, and the pathras (utensils), painting Rangoli with Rice flour etc went uptill 11:00 PM.

We retired for the day after everything was done

Chapter 8: Yaga shala

Instructions

Sri Nanjunda Dixit addressed the Ritwiks in the yagna shala. He gave very specific and clear instructions. Some of them were not to enter the Yaga shaala with shirt and pant during the performance of the Yagna. Not to bring cellular phones and camera into the Yagashala. To give rest to our shaving kit during the yagna celebration, and most importantly to be punctual and sincere.

He cautioned us that we had assembled there for a great cause, and we must be sensitive to the expectations from the organizer – Bhagawan Himself. He urged us to be Loving and become the recipients of the Love of Swamy and the local organizers. He spoke very crisply, sweetly and commanding at the same time.

Eleven Teams were constituted. Each had a name and an Acharya. The teams were named after Lord Shiva.(1) Ati Rudra (2) Devadeva, (3) Ishwara, (4)Vijaya, (5) Adityatmaka Rudra or Sri Rudra, (6) Bheema, (7) Shiva, (8) Rudra, (9) Neelalohita, (10) Bhavodbhava and (11) Shankara.

Each team was assigned to one Yagna Gunda. There were eleven yagna gundas into which the offerings we made. Each yagna gunda was about three feet in height, beautifully painted in Prasanthi Pink. The outer wall had three steps. The lower most was three bricks thick, the second was two and the upper most was single layered brick.

He said we would assemble in the evening at 04:00 PM and the proceedings for the preparations for the Yagna would begin in the evening.

We had our first lunch. It is needless to say, it was as usual elaborate. The food was served with lot of Love and was delicious and Satwik. Thai pineapples were everyone’s favorite. They were full of juice. They tasted like they were soaked in Honey. Eating a few slices would fill the belly – that dense they were. Sambar and pine apple combination was awesome! Meals were served in Banana leaves in the traditional way. We rested for a while talking to our new friends.

Afternoon we spent our time in the preparations. We were getting the kalasams and decoration ready. The, kalasams (sacred pots) totalling 160 were esthetically decorated with turmeric and vermillion and were placed near the Homa Kundams: 132 kalasams for Lord Shiva and 28 kalasams for the other Vasthu devatas (or the subordinate Gods).

Swamy was supervising the preparations from His residence.

Buntings were being put in place. Banana trees, sugarcane trees, mango leaves, decorations, it was taking a majestic shape.The main pedestal for placing the Lingam was made ready. It was 05:00 PM and devotees had already gathered for Bhajan. We quickly freshened up, and returned to the Yaga Shaala.