Our First Journey to Puttaparthy

Going to Puttaparthy is a genuine excitement for any Sai devotee. But it’s not easy for all. Someone say that a person visits Puttaprthi only when he is called by Swami. My leave application was approved in office. And our plan was finalized in mid of Aug 2016 we were very happy.  We booked ticket from Banglore Rajdhani. Since we were going there first time so naturally excitement was more. Although we had taken details of conveyance etc from some devotees but still mind was not cool. To be safe side we had booked room in Ashram. 

We reached railway station in time and boarded in our coach. Our tickets were confirmed so there was no problem in seating. At its time train started. We started chatting with co-passengers. Journey from Delhi to Prashanti Nilayam is almost 36 hours by train. So we met many peoples and spent quality time with family too. As we were being closure to this holy place our tensions of routine life relating to office and home started slowing down. On next day evening I saw and old aged uncle having age around 70 years talking over phone to some one that he will first go to Puttaparthi and stay there for few days thereafter proceed to some other place. Then we asked him how will he go from Prashanti Nilayam railway station to Ashram. He informed us about auto services. By next to next day morning we were awaken much earlier and waiting to arrive at Prashanti Nilayam Railway Station. When we got down at this station it appeared that reached Ashram itself. Since Big hoardings of Swami was stalled there.

When we headed towards auto services we were accompanied by same Uncle. He discussed with auto driver and we proceeded to Ashram in same auto. Now we were tension free. Since there was no need to search the Ashram. Auto left us at Ashram gate and we entered into Ashram.  What a big campus. It was just 4 am in early morning we saw devotees running towards Sai Kulwant Hall for Omkaram Suprabhatam. After long waiting we got the room keys and settled in the room. After taking shower and break-fast we rushed towards Samadhi Darshan. When we got entry into Sai Kulwant Hall we were surprised to see a big hall. Every side big & live images of Swami. It appeared that Swami is really seating there. We participated in Bhajan, Nagar Sankirtan, visited other sights like Shiva Mandin at Swami’s birth place, Kalpa Vriksh tree, Samadhi place of Swami’s parents and Chitravati river, Sai Vrindavan, Stadium and planetarium. Every day was a new experience. Feeling of bliss. It appeared that all pains and anxiety of life have gone.  Devotees from all over world with speaking different languages but same language of heart om sai ram. After enjoying 2 days in Ashram we proceeded to Banglore by bus to take flight to Delhi. Journey in bus was also comfortable. We reached airport in time and returned to Delhi.

What a comfortable and blissful journey. A dedicated and disciplined life in Puttaparthy. Tasty food of North Indian Canteen, South Indian canteen and western canteen. Experience of devotion, dedication and complete surrender in lotus feet of Swami. Whenever we think about this journey we get lost in these places. A place where boundary of negativity ends and possibilities of positivity blossom’s in its full strength.  Different humanitarian programs give belief of divinity in humanity. Perhaps that’s why Baba said I am God, You are too God.