On Sunday, November 23, 2025, our local Sai center had arranged a special service starting with Abhishekam for our loving lord Sathya Sai Baba at OM SRI SAI BALAJI TEMPLE located at 285 Rhode Hall Rd, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.
In most cases, I know what I am going to wear for center activities. Men, typically, wear white pants and white shirts. Ladies; wear any color of clothes as long as it's in modesty.
On Sunday morning at 8:00 am I sent a message to our past devotional coordinator to ask specifically “what is the appropriate attire for today?” However when she chose to respond she sent an emoji; to which my reply was I need an actual response to my valid question.
I proceeded to ask an elderly man, in his 80’s, “what should be my attire for today?” He too did not answer.
The third person was a close friend who I was planning on meeting at the venue. He travels every single week out of state and I barely ever see him as it is.
He replied instantly, “Sai orange dhoti with a white long kurta.” I immediately complied and said okay and proceeded to take a shower at 10:00AM as the function was going to take place at 12:30PM.
The phone was ringing incessantly and when I came out of the shower I noticed there were 6 missed calls from Shri Sivaraman Uncle to which he asked for me to call him back.
Respectfully and naturally I called him back and asked if everything was okay? He said “Yes, but you need to come home immediately and take your vastram (clothes).” I replied “Uncle may I pick it up on my way to the venue. He replied, "No, you need to come immediately now.”
At that moment, I did not think twice. I changed quickly and drove to his house. He invited me to his prayer room and brought a brand new Dhoti in a plastic bag and proceeded to say “you need to wear this and it’s not a request, it’s an order!!!”
I responded with “ok, Uncle no problem; can we separate the two pieces as no one is home to hold them together and make the cut. Uncle brought a pair of scissors and he cut the piece. On my way out I asked again “is this it?”
He said “make sure you wear your head covering along with the Dhoti and I want to see you as Shirdi Baba.”
I said why not, especially if it makes someone happy.” I came home and ironed a white long kurta and wore it with a kavi color Dhoti.
In the rush, I forgot to wear my jacket and shoes. Living on the east coast it does tend to get cold during the month of November.
I walked into the temple and the ladies were busy decorating the altar and the priests were finalizing the Puja ceremony closed off with partitions.
On early morning, Friday November 21st, I had visions of snakes all around me and even the snakes in a brass showroom were all slithering and hissing. One of the bystanders was afraid of the snakes yet I assured him that as long as he was with me they would not harm him.
From a vision I had a few days ago, I sat down and I saw that the lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba was seated on a throne made up of 6 snake heads.
The very first person I saw was our past devotional coordinator and she said “ohh…. I said I gave you the first opportunity but you did not respond so this is what happened.”
I did not wait to be seated on the chair yet decided to sit on the floor. When the energies are high I usually get affected and fall into a trance. I chose not to disturb anyone and sat down. I instantly drifted into a deep space of meditation. I did not know when the program started or when it actually was finalized
The founders of the temple came up and prostrated at my feet and was in complete awe and silence with tears of joy to see the physical presence of the lord in front of their eyes. A few other members of the temple proceeded to prostrate, wanting blessings.
Shri Sivaraman had expressed that he too wanted to come and hug the form seated on the floor but hesitated not to disturb the deep meditation out of respect.
While the Pooja and Abhishekam were performed, Nadaswaram was being played on the speakers welcoming the birth of the Lord!!
Many devotees were pleased with the form of Shirdi Baba walking amongst them on this holy occasion and wanted blessings and photographs.
The evening session ended with children narrating how their lives have been transformed since coming in the fold of Balvikas.
There was a special guest speaker who shared her experience growing up with her grandparents who had immense blessings from the Lord as his father Ghandikota Shastri had written the Sai Gayatri.
The program concluded with devotional singing and prasadam.
Heartfelt gratitude to each and every single devotee who had devoted their time and effort to make this centenary celebration a very memorable and meaningful day!!
Aum Sri Sai Ram
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