THE PUTTAPARTHI TRIP - 2010

All Round Personality Development… Abhyasa is always is committed to this mantra… Most of the schools are only into preparing their students only for examinations and for marks – whereas – Abhyasa always tries for the overall development of her wards. Demonstrating the same, Team Abhyasa left for a religious trip to "Puttaparthi" to observe and learn and to have a feel – how life can be led with a great spiritual discipline.

14 students accompanied by three teachers and one parent, left to Puttaparthi on 26.12.2010. On reaching Puttaparthi,team Abhyasa left to explore the places of interest along with the teacher in charges Mrs.Veena Venugopal, Mrs.Amaravati and Mr.Dasaradhi Koganti. Temples of Sree Venugopala Swamy, Lord Hanuman, Kalpa Vriksh – ‘The Wish-fulfilling Tree, were seen and prayers were offered.

By 4.00 PM all the team members were in Prasanthi Nilayam – ‘The Abode of Peace', for darshan of Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba.The Sai Kulwant Hall- the venue of Darshan of the world's most popular Spiritual Gurus, was exquisitely and aesthetically decorated on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year. It was an amazing experience for the first timers to see such a multitude of foreign devotees all attired in Indian attire! It was around 6.30 PM when Swami had given a glimpse of Darshan and went out. But about 8.00 PM in the evening, Swami came to the devotees and spent around 40 minutes with the devotees. A group of foreigners presented a dance ballet portraying that Jesus and Baba are one and the same. All of us were indeed happy to see a heart -warming presentation and also to witness Baba shower his blessings, love and grace on all present in the auditorium.

The next morning, the team explored Puttaparthi – starting from Chaitanya Jyoti, -the museum that exhibits the life, mission and accomplishments of Baba, music college, Gokulam- the abode of the cattle and the other educational institutions like the School, College and the University buildings.

On the morning of 29th, team Abhyasa were fortunate to have a close yet fleeting glance of Baba before exploring the Book Store inside the Prasanti Nilayam and also the International Sports Centre. By the afternoon, all the team members had lunch and packed their bags for the return journey. Boarding the Kacheguda Express, the team reached Kacheguda early in the morning and all the students were handed over to their parents.

It was indeed a charging, spiritual experience for the Abhyasites!