On Tuesday April 24^th the Sathya Sai Baba Center of Cooksville celebrated Aradhana Mahotsavam at our Prasanthi Nilayam, the Cooksville Sai Center, located at 5359 Timberlea Blvd, Mississauga.   This auspicious event began as early as 5am to the recitation of the divine Suprabatam. Our Beloved Swami was with us all the way as devotees sang lilting bhajans during the Nagarasankirthanam (on the street around the Centre) till 6 AM.

From 6 AM to 7AM devotees participated in an awe-inspiring chanting of the Holy Vedas.  The chanting of the Vedas, so dear to Swami began with the invocation of Lord Ganesh in Gananaam tva. Approximately 30 people participated in the morning event. The turnout was exceptional as it was a Tuesday and a working day. Volunteers had prepared a light breakfast and it was served after the Veda chanting was completed and the morning aarathi taken.

In the evening, programs began at 6PM with melodious bhajans sung by adult devotees.  At 7 PM the SSE children of Group 3 began chanting the Meda Suktam and slokas from the Bhagavad Geetha. At 7:15 pm the young adults presented a refreshing musical program of well-tuned, harmonious pieces. The young adults had practiced for many weeks to deliver this musical program for our beloved Bhagawan. The evening was not over as yet.

The Center had requested a speaker to speak to the congregation for half an hour.  Brother Sathya Parthasarathy, was Swami’s student and an alumnus of Swami’s educational institutions. Brother Sathya had completed his higher education at Swami’s feet and many beautiful insightful experiences to share.  Brother Sathya’s exhorted us all to keep the lines of communication to be always open and free with our Swami. He also shared several experiences to show the importance of this special communication with Swami.  It was very informative as Brother Sathya also demonstrated how all devotees can effortlessly communicate with Swami. As a result, the level of engagement with the congregation was stupendous and Brother Sathya’s speech was well-received.

Following Brother Sathya’s inspiring speech, the young adults conducted bhajans from 8 -9 PM.  The bhajans were vibrant and soul-stirring –a perfect curtain call to a perfect day of remembering and honoring our Beloved Swami. Mahaprasad (dinner) was served after this final bhajan.

This celebration would not have been possible without the concerted effort of all who attended several bhajan and Veda practices during the month of March and April in order to offer their best Bhajan/Musical/Veda chanting for Swami.  Even though it was a Tuesday, a working day, many families came with their children and participated in this Aradhana Mahotsavam at our Cooksville Prasanthi mandir.  Cooksville Sai Centre felt our Swami’s presence and received His boundless Grace on this day.