Guru Purnima celebrations were held in a festive atmosphere at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, on July 29. The observance featured programmes scheduled from morning till night, drawing devotees from several Indian states as well as from overseas.
The campus was decorated for the occasion, with the Kulwant Hall adorned with colourful flowers. The day began at 8 am with Vedic chanting, followed by a devotional music offering titled “Guru Vandanam” by the Prasanthi Bhajan group at 8.20 am.
At 9 am, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust trustee S.S. Naganand delivered the welcome address, citing Bhagavan’s teachings and references from the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedas to underline the importance of the Sadguru. At 9.10 am, Nimish Pandya, All-India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, spoke about the nationwide “Prema Pravahini” initiative and highlighted enduring guru-disciple relationships, stressing faith, surrender and unquestioning obedience.
A key highlight of the morning was the inauguration of a newly redesigned “Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital”, aimed at taking free and quality healthcare to rural communities at their doorstep. Introducing the initiative, Dr K. Narasimman, Director of the mobile hospital, said the service is designed to reach those who are unable to access medical facilities.
He noted that the mobile hospital, supported by over 350 volunteer doctors, has been integrating science and spirituality for more than two decades by visiting villages daily, beyond periodic medical camps. He added that patients can undergo tests in their own villages and receive medicines immediately through the on-board pharmacy. The programme continued with a divine discourse, bhajans and Mangala Aarti.
