On the much expected morning of 28th October 2009, the scheduled day of Bhagawan’s arrival at Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra in Hadshi Village in Pune, it was nature in her pristine best eagerly anticipating to welcome the Lord of the Universe in physical frame. …And she was joined by men and women in thousands rejoicing the great grand occasion. Colourful canopies adorned the lush green lawns. Every creation around reflected this mood; the caressing breeze, the singing birds and the colourful butterflies all awaited the Lord!

The Sarva Dharma Stupa beautifully decorated with an array of colourful flowers and lights stood magnificent at the entrance leading to the golden gate of the Ganesha Temple. Ladies attired in traditional pink and red Nawari sarees were waiting to perform the Kalash Puja outside the golden gate. With a prayer in their hearts, these ladies have walked all the way to Panduranga Kshetra from their villages.

The fountains behind the Ganesha Temple were gushing with joy and enthusiasm that the Lord was to be in their midst. The aisle leading to the shrine of Vitthal Rakumai and Shirdi Sai Baba were lined with men in colourful turbans—they were set to welcome the Lord with Lazium (Maharashtrian Traditional dance) to the rhythm of dholkis. The Abhangs of Tukaram rented the air outside the sanctum sanctorum of Vitthal Rakumai while the Prana Pratishta Yagna was going on in the Yagna Mandap adjoining the Vithal Rakumai temple.

A warm and loving welcome awaited Bhagawan as The Lord descended from the aircraft at Pune airport around 10 a.m. enroute to Panduranga Kshetra. Shri Jadhav and his family members along with the State President of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Sawant expressed gratefulness to Bhagawan while receiving Him. The young ambassadors of Bhagawan’s mission, the Bal vikas children attired in colorful Maharashtrian dresses extended their welcome to one and all. Dignitaries present at the airport to welcome the Lord included the former Union Home Minister, Sri Shivaraj Patil and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Ashok Chavan, both ardent long time devotees of Bhagawan.

Bhagawan upon arrival straight drove down to the Jadhav’s resident at Pune to spent over 45 minutes blessing the occasion. Thereafter Bhagawan arrived at the Kshetra, the venue at 12:11 p.m., a momentous occasion she has been waiting for the past six long years. Bhagawan upon arrival, blessed the vast concourse of devotees who were lined up enroute yearning for a rare glimpse of the Lord in physical.

Bhagawan was greeted by the auspicious chant of the Vedas recited by Bal Vikas children coupled with vibrant band music. The family of Shri. Jadhav welcomed Bhagawan with traditional tokens of auspiciousness. Mrs. & Mr. Vishal Jadhav (son of Shri Jadhav) presented the Kalash while other dignitaries offered floral salutations to Beloved Bhagawan.

As Bhagawan’s car proceeded to His residence, He graciously blessed devotees who were singing Abhangs with intense love. Bhagawan alighted from the car and inaugurated the Divine Abode acceding to the prayers of Shri Jadhav. The students and entourage were also greeted with roses before being escorted to Bhagawan’s residence.

Later in the evening a music programme was held in the Divine Presence at the Kshetra Venue. Mumbai’s famous names, Kavita Subramaniam, Sapna Mukherjee and Nitin Mukesh graced the occasion seeking Divine Blessings. Bhagawan is scheduled to bless and inaugurate the Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra on 29th morning at 9:00 a.m.

Everyday the Lord blessed and enchanted the thousands gathered there for His darshan. Nor sun nor cloud could keep a single soul away from the blessed Kshetra. During the day, devotees sat four hours on end in the hot sun but they didn’t look upon it as difficulty, instead for them, it was a penance for this was no ordinary visit - It was a visit of the Creator Himself… It was a boon and blessing that the Avatar in His physical form had chosen to be amongst them and shower His choicest blessings!

Bhagawan was dressed in His simple, elegant orange robes, while His sons wore gleaming white shirts, kurtas and trousers, and His daughters were dressed in the most vibrant hues. Everyone had done their bit to welcome the Lord, their Father, to His home in Maharashtra.

There were bhajans by Swami’s students and devotees, and musical programmes by Kavita Krishnamurthy, Nitin Mukesh, Sapna Mukherjee and the Little Champs of Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma. They delighted one and all by their renditions, and touched the Lord’s heart by their humility and devotion.

Bhagawan gave a discourse on the second day, and again, He stressed on the importance of love being the basis for your interaction with humans and other living beings. Birds stopped singing and waited to hear His ever sweet voice. His message of Love All Serve All and Help Ever, Hurt Never echoed in every heart and reverberated throughout the Kshetra, as dusk slowly set in and cast its evening spell on the surrounding hills…

Flowers vied to make it the bouquets offered to Beloved Swami, the leaves rustled and fell from their trees hoping they would be tread on by His Divine Lotus feet, and insects, snakes and animals remained calm and were thrilled to hear a reference made to them by the Lord Himself as He said in His discourse that snakes and scorpions bite only when they are threatened by man…

He pleased one and all, so gently and so sweetly… On Oct 31, when Bhagawan’s convoy wound its way downhill, out of the gates of Pandurangaa Kshetra towards the arms of waiting Mumbai, He blessed everyone - rustic villagers - who needed no seva dals to control them, so disciplined were they. There was only one message that rang out from every heart to His – ‘Come back soon, Mother Sai…We need You, we long for You, we await You…’

If there are memories to cherish, nothing can excel this, and there is a hope that these celebrations would not end here, but would continue in the lives of all by way of selfless service and sacrifice. For that is when, our lives become His message…