Sathya Sai Baba's 85th Birthday - Mass Marriage

Sathya Sai Baba

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 13:15

November 17th was an auspicious day at Puttaparthi as 85 brides and grooms were tied in the holy bonds of matrimony with the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Marriage Ceremony in all its splendor was organized by The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, to celebrate the 85th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, on November 23rd, in His support towards marriage and family life.

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust was founded by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as a public charitable trust in 1972. The Trust is responsible for the running of the ashrams and has been serving society in the fields of health and education since inception and projects for supplying safe drinking water to rural areas. The guiding philosophy of the trust is that drinking water, medicine, and education, the fundamental needs of every individual, should be available to everyone free of cost. It also conducts mass marriages entirely free of cost for the under privileged.

As stated by the most respected Shri Ratan Tata, “Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a truly outstanding humanitarian. The Sai Trust"s facilities, including the Sai University and the Institute of Higher Medical Sciences are most impressive and I am overwhelmed by the quality and professionalism of the staff. These institutions are a standing tribute to the Swami"s vision and attention to detail. He has given so much. The world needs his kindness and service to humanity".

The 85 such couples (who tied the knot on Sathya Sai Baba's 85th birthday in Marriage,puttaparthi,sathya sai baba) wore unconquerable smiles and carried joy in their heart as they were solemnized under the wedding vows and usher in their new life with their respective partners.

Most of the couples were from the various neighbouring villages and Sri Sathya Sai Baba blessed them (the couples in mass marriage on His 85th birthday), like a loving parent with not only the marriages being conducted as per ritualistic and spiritual norms but also gifting them with necessary items to begin their new life.

It was a beautiful vision to see each of 85 grooms tie the Mangalasutra around their brides neck as a mark of their union - a promise to take equal share in the joys and sorrows of life. The Marriage Ceremony concluded around noon.

The evening was as unforgettable as the morning with first performance was by Sri Ronu Majumdar, India"s ace flutist and a major innovator with the medium of New-age Music who has been musically associated with international greats such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, ex-Beatle George Harrison, ace guitarist Ry Cooder and several other legends.

Followed by Sri Sikkil Gurucharan, an extremely talented carnatic vocalist hailing from a family of musicians, having won a plethora of Indian and international awards. It was Sikkil"s first performance before Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Prasanthi Nilayam.

It was musical feast for all present and the fervor of the festivities at Puttaparthi as Sri Sathya Sai Baba"s 85th birthday gets closer, with the mass marriage, an unforgettable aspect.