Rathotsavam in Puttaparthi heralds 99th birth anniversary fete of Sathya Sai Baba

ANANTAPUR: Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 99th birth anniversary celebrations got off to a grand start with fervour and devotion at Prasanthi Nilayam in the Sathya Sai district on Monday.

On the first day of the celebrations, the Lord Venugopala Swamy Rathotsavam started at the Gopuram Gate and headed towards the Sathemma temple in Puttaparthi. Priests offered pooja to Lord Venugopala Swamy and at the Baba Maha Samadhi.

The Rathotsavam was organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Its trustee RJ Rathnakar, former minister Palle Raghunath Reddy, Sathya Sai district SP Rathna and several other dignitaries were present.

Traffic was diverted at Puttaparthi during the Rathotsavam. The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the birth anniversary events that would last a week.

The annual convocation of the Sathya Sai Higher Education Institutes will be held on Nov 22. The birth anniversary events would conclude on Nov 23. RTC is operating special buses to Puttaparthi from various towns in the district.