Aradhana Mahotsavam - Honouring the Legacy of Swami
Our beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is known to the world as a spiritual leader who spent his life spreading love, compassion, and peace. His teachings were simple yet profound, and they continue to inspire millions of people even after His physical departure from this world. ‘Samadhi Day’ is a special occasion that we observe every year on the anniversary of His passing. This day is also known as ‘Aradhana Day’. It is a time for us as his devotees to remember his life and teachings and to rededicate ourselves to His mission of spreading divine love and service.
As we know, Swami was born on 23 November 1926, in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India. From a young age, He demonstrated exceptional spiritual abilities and was regarded as a divine child. He began to attract devotees who were drawn to his wisdom, compassion, and Siddhis (miraculous Divine Powers). His teachings are rooted in the ancient wisdom of India but Swami presents them in a way that his devotees can follow them in the modern world. He emphasised the importance of selfless service, love for all, and the realisation of the unity of all beings. He taught us that all religions were paths to the same ultimate truth and encouraged us to practise our own faith while respecting the beliefs of others.
Swami was known for his extraordinary acts of charity, such as the construction of the super-specialty hospital in Puttaparthi, providing free medical care to thousands of people every year. Furthermore he provided free drinking water to more than 700 villages and free Education - these all stemmed from a simple request by his beloved Mother Easwaramma. Swami’s message of love and service inspired the establishment of a vast network of charitable institutions, not just in Prashanthi Nilayam but all around the world. These institutions include hospitals, schools, and social welfare centres, providing free healthcare, education, and support to the poor and needy.
On 24 April 2011, Swami sadly left his physical form at the age of 85. As his devotees, we deeply felt this profound loss, and still do to this day. However our Mother Sai blessed us with our divine abode, Prasanthi Nilayam, where we can feel the divine vibrations from Swami’s Samadhi and we can be assured Swami is there, smiling at us from above.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba's ‘Samadhi Day’ is observed every year on 24 April to honour his memory and to celebrate his Life and Teachings. It is a day for us to gather and reflect on the spiritual legacy that he left behind. It is not a time for mourning, but a time for celebration. It is a celebration of a life well-lived, a life dedicated to the service of humanity, as Swami’s teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world.
One of the main themes of Swami's teachings was the importance of selfless service. He believed that serving others was the most direct way to experience the divine and that true happiness could only be found in making others happy. In honour of ‘Samadhi Day’, His followers around the world engage in various acts of service and charity. This includes distributing food to the needy, providing medical care to the sick, and organising blood donation drives.
I hope that this ‘Aaradhana Day’, we feel connected to Swami and experience his divine energy. I encourage you all to participate in both centre and regional service activities, and remember to carry the energy of love and service in all we do. I also encourage all to attend their regional ‘Samadhi Day’ programmes as a part of remembering Swami and his Legacy. I hope everyone has a blessed Samadhi Day.
Om Sri Sai Ram.
-Naomi Wadhwani