Sri Sai Baba's Nakshatra Malika Puja at Sai Devotee Sri. Balakrishna's Home, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.

Aum Sai Ram





Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Nakshatra Malika Puja was performed on Sunday, the 21st Aug 2011 at Sai Devotee Smt. Padma & Sri. Balakrishna's Home in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.



Mrs. Padma Karunakaram has been writing articles for Sai Photo Blog regularly & covering Sai Baba Temples in East & West Godavari Dist of Andhra Pradesh. Her articles are being published on all the wednesdays.



It was all by Sai Baba's Will & Special Invitation from Mrs. Padma, that i visited Rajahmundry for this Puja & attended the Complete event.



Around 100 Sai Devotees from Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Vizag, Eluru, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Hyderabad, Chennai & Bangalore attended the program. Sai Baba's Mantap was decorated with Turmeric, Mango Leaf. Sai Baba's Potrait, Statues of Sai Baba, Radhe Krishna & Durga devi were placed on the Mantap. Kalas of Durga devi was also installed on the Mantap by the Couple.



Sri M Mangaiah from Eluru Conducted this puja. Spiritual People like Sri Anusuya Amma, Sri Sankaraiah, Sri Raheem Baba from nearby places were also invited & present for this Puja.



After the morning breakfast of Idli, Chutney & Coffee/Tea, The puja began at 10:30am. All the Sai Devotees present for the puja were given a Puja Thali consisting of Photo's of Ganeshji, Sai Baba & Durgadevi. Kumkum, Turmeric, Udi, betulnut leaf, betulnut, fruit, prasad were also part of the puja Thali.



All the Sai Devotees were encouraged to perform puja to the Baba's Photo present in the Thali simultaneously when the puja at the main mantap was being held. After the Sankalpam, Puja & Ashothara shatanamavali were performed for Ganeshji & Sai Baba. Sai Baba's Madhyan Aarti was performed.



Now the 9 time Chanting of Sai Baba Nakshatra Malika commenced & it took around 10 min to complete 1 round of Chanting. For every round of Puja, Prasad Thali consisting of Fruit, Coconut, betulnut leaf & betulnut were placed in front of the Mantap & Aarti was performed at the end of each round of chanting.



At the end of 9th Round of Chanting, Naivaithyam consisting of Sweet Rice, Puliyogara, Vegetables, Dhall & Rice along with fruits were served to Sai Baba & Maha Mangala Aarti was performed to Sai Baba. The Puja ended with Satsang & Blessing to all Sai Devotees at 2:45pm & Prasad was served to all Sai Devotees present for the Puja.





This Sai Nakshatra Malika was written by Sri Ponamala Koteswara Rao of Vijayawada and sung by Sri M Mangayya of Eluru in Andhra Pradesh. Sai Nakshatra Malika Poem Consists of a 27 Stanza/Verses praising Sri Sai Baba & the Complete Parayan of Sai Satcharitra book has been written in these 27 Stanza.



It is beleived that chanting Sai Nakshatra Malika once gives the Same benefit of performing Sai Satcharita Saptah. During the Sai Nakshatra Malika Puja, Sai Baba's Photo or Statue is placed on a Decorated Mantap. A Kalas is placed on Mantap. Salutations to Ganeshji, Durgadevi & Sai Baba are chanted & Sankalpam of all Devotees present for the puja is done. Ganesha Ashtothara Shatanamavali & Sai Baba's Ashtothara Shatanamavali & Aarti are performed.



Later on Sai Baba's Sai Nakshatra Malika is chanted 9 times by all Present for the Puja & During each chanting Tambulam consisting of 2 Banana/Fruit, Betelnut Leaf, Betelnut & a Coconut is placed in front of Sai Baba & at the end of each chanting Aarti is performed to Sai Baba. At the end of 9th Chanting, Sai Baba's Naivaithyam is performed. Aarti is Completed.







Courtesy:

Article: Raghav N

Photography: Raghav N/ Mallikarjun G.

Venue: Sri Balakrishna's Home, Rajahmundry.

Special thanks Mrs. Padma Karunakaram, Rajahmundry

for inviting me for this Puja.