Baba birthday fete begins

Anatapur: Sri Satya Saibaba’s 88th birth anniversary celebrations started at Prasanathi Nilayam on Monday.

This is the third year of celebration after the Baba’s demise and laying to rest at the Mahasamadhi in Sai Kulwanth Hall. As part of the week-long celebrations, the car festival of Lord Venugopala Swamy was held with great fervour from the main gate towards the main streets of Puttaparthi on Monday.

The Venugopala Swamy car festival (rathotsavam) is an old tradition followed here ever since Saibaba started the ashram at Prasanthinilayam.

Prior to that Seetharama Kalyanam, the celestial marriage of the deities were performed at Prasanthini-layam. A huge number of devotees took part on the occasion. Students and bhajan mandalis of Satya Sai institutions participated in the car festival chanting vedas and bhajans.

The International Women’s Day would be celebrated on November 19 at the Saikulwanth Hall, a press release said. A large number of devotees from various countries is expected to take part in the celebrations.

The Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning’s annual convocation would be held on November 22. Varsity chancellor Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah would conduct the convocation ceremony.

Satya Saibaba’s 88th birth anniversary would be celebrated on November 23. Satyasai Central Trust authorities said Union minister of state for communications and IT would release the commemorative stamp of Sri Satya Saibaba. Several noted musicians including the Malladi Brothers would hold concerts during the week-long celebrations.

District authorities have made arrangements for the week-long birth anniversary celebrations. The police have posted additional forces at all sensitive areas in and around Puttaparthi.