Everyday in Puttaparthi is special as thousands gather to offer worship to their Lord, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Nevertheless, some days are unique because of the large number of devotees, belonging to various faiths and cultures, who congregate to make their important days memorable, by being in this small spiritual town, the Abode of Peace, Prasanthi Nilayam. Because devotees throng from all regions of India and the world, Prasanthi Nilayam is vibrant every month of the year.
Below is a list of some of the festivals celebrated in this divine town. But this table, at best, is a very conservative view of the festival atmosphere in Prasanthi Nilayam. As, there are many other events, some regular and others adhoc, which find their way, every year, into the calendar of this ‘Abode of Supreme Peace’.
Festival Calendar 2012
Month |
Date |
Festival |
Importance |
JANUARY |
1 |
Celebration of the first day of the New Year |
|
|
11 |
Students from the Sri Sathya Sai educational institutions present a grand display of sports and cultural events |
|
|
14 |
The beginning of the auspicious half of the year, based on the Sun’s movement. |
|
FEBRUARY |
20 |
A night time vigil of devotional singing adoring Lord Shiva. |
|
MARCH |
23 |
New Year’s Day for the people of the state of Andra Pradesh. |
|
APRIL |
1 |
The birthday of Lord Rama. |
|
|
14 |
New Year’s Day for the people of the states of Tamil Nad. |
|
|
15 |
New Year’s Day for the people of the states of Kerala. |
|
|
24 |
Bhagawan's Maha Samadhi Anniversary |
|
MAY |
6 |
Celebration of the life of the Mother of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. |
|
|
6 |
Commemoration of the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. |
|
JUNE |
30 |
Devotees mainly from the states of Maharashtra and Goa worship Bhagavan Baba as Lord Vitthal (Krishna). |
|
JULY |
3 |
Celebration of the Divine Guru embodied as Sathya Sai. |
|
AUGUST |
10 |
The birthday of Lord Krishna. |
|
|
29 |
Commemoration of Emperor Bali’s surrender to Lord Vamana, the Avatar of Lord Vishnu. |
|
SEPTEMBER |
19 |
A day dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha |
|
OCTOBER |
20 |
Commemoration of Bhagavan Baba’s declaration of Avatarhood in 1940. | |
|
24 |
Celebration and worship of the Divine Mother for ten consecutive days. |
|
NOVEMBER |
10 -11 |
Uninterrupted bhajans for 24 hours in the Mandir as a prelude to Baba’s Birthday celebrations. |
|
|
13 |
Festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness over evil. |
|
|
18 |
Procession of the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Mother Sita in the Puttaparthi village. |
|
|
19 |
Celebration of the greatness of women and the ideal of motherhood. |
|
|
22 |
Sri Sathya Sai University Convocation. |
|
|
23 |
Millions throng to pay homage to the Avatar of the Age. |
|
DECEMBER |
25 |
Celebration of the birthday of Lord Jesus. |
|
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