Saturday 7th of August 2010 was indeed a memorable day in the annals of Sai Prem Mandir, Navi Mumbai. Not since Bhagawan's visit a decade ago the Centre had seen such frenetic activity and throng of devotees. Sai Prem was spruced up and bedecked in all glory. Buntings, festoons, colourful rangolis, lights, flowers, thorans and strings of shining pennants adorned the inside and outside of the building. There were huge arches at the beginning of the lane, with the images of Shirdi Baba and Sathya Sai Baba. There were colourful posters  all the way to Sai Prem announcing the Durga Havan.

For after all it was one of the most auspicious days to propitiate the Universal Mother and the Supreme Being (Ishvara).The Lord Himself had permitted the devotees of Maharashtra & Goa to conduct the function on this day.  The star dominant that day was  Ardhra (Ardhra is ruled by Rudra or Shiva) .  Ardhra means wet or surcharged with water.No wonder the day had light drizzles at regular intervals. It is also the star that witnessed the advent of the Sathya Sai Avatar 84 years ago!

It was Shani Pradosha,the Pradosha Vrata falling on Shanivar (Saturday).  Pradosh is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Shaniwar is dedicated to Lord Shani, one of the Navgrahas. Praying on Pradosh day keeps the harmful effects of Shani away.It is believed that people under the bad influence of Shani can escape it by praying to Shiva on that day.

The proceedings of the day began at 6.30 a.m. with the Navi Mumbai group chanting Vedas. At 7.00 a.m.the Bhajan group took over and sang with gusto for almost 90 minutes.  Meanwhile the 24 Rithwiks and the Head Priest Shri Sharathchandra Bhat went about arranging the puja items. The stage on the ground floor had a large backdrop depicting Bhagawan Baba on the left side and Goddess Durga on the right side.The mantra " Aum Sarva Managala Mangaley ......" was printed in bold in English and Sanskrit. There were large framed pictures of Bhagawan Baba Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi on the stage. Interestingly, at 7.30 a.m., the time the Puja was to officially start in Sai Prem, Bhagawan Baba came to Sai Kulwant Hall and gave Darshan!

A number of poojas starting from Ganapati Aavahan (Invoking Lord Ganapati), Guru Pooja (Invoking the Guru), Rashtra Prarthana (Prayer for the well-being of the nation), Kalasha Pratishtapan, Navagriha, Mahamruthyunjaya and Vishwa Shanti ( Universal Peace) preceded the Durga Yagna. All the three Sookthams , Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathy were chanted by the Rithwiks in a crisp tone.  Devotees gathered in large numbers chanted "Aum Sarva Mangala Maangalye" with great fervour and devotion while doing kumkum archana at the same time. Shlokas from each of the Vedas was chanted by the specific groups for about 10 minutes each.
 
 At about 12.30 p.m. the expert on Sama Veda, Shri Sreeram Shrowthy held the Vasordhara long Sruk while another Rithwik poured molten ghee. A lone drummer played the drum every time the chanting reached a crescendo. At about 1 p.m. the Poorna Ahuthi was performed.

 However hundreds of devotees continued to chant the Devi shloka till about 3.30 p.m. Shri Narayana, one of the youngest rithwiks went about arranging the Puja items for the Pradosha puja One of the devotees brought a mercury Shivalinga for the Puja. The base for the Shivalinga was procured from Sai Prem itself. A group of 11 Rithwiks performed the Poorvanga Shani pooja.  From 4 p.m. the rithwiks chanted Rudram, Chamakam and the Purusha sooktham. Many of the devotees matched the Rithwiks in their speed and intonations. Even as the chanting was on, another rithwik performed Abhishekams using various items like  Honey, Milk, Fruits, Curds, Sandalwood powder, Vibhuthi, etc.. Shiva ashthothram and Panchakshara sthothram ( Nagendra Haraya trilochanaya) was chanted in unison. The second session was brought to a conclusion by performing Arathi .

A befitting conclusion to the vibrant day was the soul stirring bhajans sung by Shri Krishnamurthy who is well known to music lovers and Sai Devotees in Mumbai. Shri. Krishnamurthy, supported ably by renowned percussionists and violin players enthralled the audience with his nama sankeertan. Jaya jaya Ram Krishna Hari, was followed by a Ganapathy bhajan, Guru kripa anjani, a Devi song in Ranjani, a Devi Bhajan and finally a Vitthal bhajan.Shri Noshir Bahadurji presented a token gift and Prasad to all the artists. It was around 7.30 p.m.when the office bearers of Navi Mumbai offered Arathi. Ladoo Prasad along with the sanctified Kumkum, Vibhuthi, one laminated photo of Bhagawan Baba or Sree Durga or Copper Yantra and sweet rice was distributed to the delight of all the devotees.

Every participant without exception had a glow on their faces. Their joy was contagious. It was as if Swami had handed down a lot of goodies in just one day. The volunteers joy knew no bounds although many had missed out on sleep for a couple of days.Thus came to an end a memorable day in the annals of SAI PREM.