Day 3 Overview
The day began as usual with morning Darshan at Sai Kulwant Hall. Walking quietly in single file, brothers in white, sisters in elegant, coordinated sarees, Zone 6 pilgrims moved in unison, not just in body, but in spirit. Entering the hall, many gazed upwards as they recalled the talk given by the Mandir Bhajans Group the previous evening, citing the relevance of the green and gold ceiling, as representing peace, protection and prosperity.
The familiar spiritual cadence of Vedam chanting, echoed through the air generating sacred vibrations. This was followed by the soulful bhajans sung by the Prasanthi Mandir Group, lifting hearts and setting a tone of quiet devotion for the day ahead.
Following Darshan, a convoy of four buses with adults and children travelled to the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, a facility often described as a “temple of healing.” Its pink domes, open corridors, and central hall conveyed reverence rather than routine; calm compassion over clinical detachment.
Warmly welcomed by Dr. Gurumurthy, the hospital’s Director and a dedicated plastic surgeon who has led the institution since 2014 group was reminded of the hospital’s founding principle: to deliver free, world-class medical care to all, regardless of background or circumstance.
Next, the group viewed a compelling video that brought to life the hospital’s origin story. In November 1990, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba announced that a super-specialty hospital would be built in Puttaparthi, and that every service, from diagnosis to surgery, would be provided completely free of cost.
Despite the disbelief of global health experts, construction began in May 1991 and was completed in just six months. The hospital was inaugurated on 22 November 1991, and that very morning, the first heart surgery was performed at 9:00 a.m., just as Swami had foretold. Three more successful surgeries followed within four hours.
The video was filled with inspiring moments; equipment arriving from distant cities undamaged and on time, international specialists offering their support, and Swami guiding every detail, down to architecture and design, often providing suggestions to influence the renowned architect, Keith Critchlow.
Following the presentation, the group had the profound opportunity to meditate in the Mahasamadhi room, the very space where Swami took Mahasamadhi in 2011. The silence in that room was complete, yet filled with presence. It was a moment of stillness not one could ever forget. The deep sense of peace and connection felt in that moment with the Divine was unmistakable and unforgettable. Swami’s presence was genuinely felt by all.
Next stop was the iconic Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, a site that combines physical vitality with spiritual majesty. Located just behind the ashram, the stadium is more than a sports ground; it is a stage for unity, discipline, and the celebration of human potential.
Originally named during a student-led initiative, the title “Hill View Stadium” was coined when boys invited Swami to an exhibition match. They climbed ropes to hang a cloth banner bearing the new name, and Swami was deeply pleased. Since then, the name, and the spirit behind it, has endured.
The stadium has hosted many historic events, including the Unity Cup cricket match in 1997 between India and the World XI, featuring international cricket legends. It is also the annual site for Swami’s birthday celebrations, and the Sri Sathya Sai Sports and Cultural Meet, where students from Swami’s institutions showcase elaborate performances, drills, and dramas, all under Swami’s watchful, loving gaze.
Set against Vidya Giri Hill, the stadium’s backdrop features majestic statues of deities and spiritual figures from many faiths, reflecting Swami’s message of universal oneness. Towering above them all is the 65-foot solid Hanuman statue, constructed for Swami’s 65th birthday in 1990. The base foundation of the statue is five foot four, Swami’s own height.
The statue itself is a story of divine engineering. When soil testing revealed unstable ground and strong hilltop winds made traditional methods risky, Swami guided engineers personally. He insisted the statue be in “take-off” posture, and when the team expressed structural concerns, Swami revealed the solution: conceal a supportive crossbeam inside Hanuman’s flowing angavastram (cloth). This ingenious blend of spirituality and structural stability astonished even the senior engineers. Today, the statue stands not only as a marvel of design but as a symbol of strength, loyalty, and faith, intended to endure for centuries.
From the stadium grounds, we could also see the University Administrative Block, the Chaitanya Jyoti museum, and a soon-to-open archives building preserving Swami’s original letters, artefacts, and rare photos.
Late afternoon the group met outside N4 and in the usual two per row formation made their way to Sai Kulwant Hall where they would hear of how sister Christine West from the UK had come to Swami’s fold after Baba took Samadhi. A clear, simple and inspiring talk delivered with pure love, humility and in a natrative which resonated with all present, captivated by the soft sincere voice of the narrator.
The much anticipated Balvikas Choir took centre stage this afternoon after months of preparation, including dozens of hours of practice and thousands of miles of travelling endured by children from across the UK. Individual children introduced each song to explain its meaning, following an exceptional musical delivery supported by talented young instrumentalists, lead singers and supporting group vocalists. A beautiful cultural representation delivered with love and synergy which vibrated from the veranda to the back of the hall, from the seated children singing in unison to the green and gold ceiling of Sai Kulwant Hall. Parents and Gurus alike were left smiling, glowing, and with deep sense of gratitude to Mother Sai for granting the most enviable of opportunities to their loved and cherished children.
To end in the day in the words of dearest sister Christine,
“When we feel lost, He brings direction.
When we feel broken, He brings healing.
When we feel empty, He brings love.
All we must do is trust Him. Surrender . Follow.
He opens doors. He clears the path. He writes the story we never knew was ours.
And what He brings in return is greater than anything we could ask for”.
Well done to the Balvikas children and a deep sincere thank you for the love of our Mother Sai.
Explore Day 4
On Thursday, the Zone 6 pilgrims were blessed with a profound morning session at the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre, where Sri Rathnakar delivered a heartfelt address on Swami’s teachings, reminding all that Prashanthi is their true home and that sincere faith, prayer, and selfless living are the foundations of spiritual life. In the evening, the UK Young Adults offered a touching and creative programme delivered through a humorous yet powerful skit titled “The Ceiling Den,” where spiritual entrepreneurs pitched practical ways to live Swami’s message of Ceiling on Desires, leaving the audience uplifted, inspired, and deeply reflective.