Trip to India 16 May to 22 May 2008

16-5-2008 We, a total of 20 (Minus See Kim Boon who opted out at 3.00am) flew Jet Airways from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai.
Arrived at Chennai local time 9.30am. Greeted by Kishore at Chennai Airport and started our 10 hours Van journey to Puttaparthi
Stopped at Hotel Narayana at Chittor for Lunch. Good and cheap Tali Lunch.
The 38 km stretch of ‘road’ before reaching Puttaparthi is a rocky, winding path tre-passing tiny little kampungs but we sang songs all the way.
Reached Prahsanti Nilayam at 8.05pm just in time for us to get keys to rooms, all together 10 rooms.

17-5-2008 First Morning Darshan. Managed to get quire front rows. Sitting quietly and in
meditative mood and Swami came out around 9.00am. The minute He came in, everyone experienced joy and bliss. His face was perfection and some how you know he has answered all our prayers and wishes.
Bro Lee from Alor Setar stood forward to deliver our “Kuala Lumpur Sai Baba Chinese Choir’ membership card from Interkultur Foundation to Swami.. Swami looked through the card and was puzzled as no explanation or clarification was offered to Him.

Nearly 8.00pm, I walked to N7 trying to collect keys for Tangkak Group but to no avail. Albert’s group arrived at 8.30pm and the officers have left, no keys and no rooms. Seva Dal insisted that they left our hostels. We lied saying that after the group had eaten and settled their belongings with us, they will leave. I was feeling very uncomfortable as I lied in the vicinity of Swami. I prayed to Swami, if what I have acted is right please let me have the front few roles in tomorrow’s Drashan lines.

18-5-2008 Know what? My line got the No.1 in drawing of token. Swami’s great. I am right in ‘harbouring’ our Tangkak’s brothers and sisters. We had very good darshan.

Later on, we learned from Bro Cheah T.B. that Swami has taken our letter of requesting for Swami’s permission to sing.
Cheah holds a whole stakes of letters on his left hand and a single letter on his right. Swami went past him and later Swami’s student walked back to collect the letter, only the single letter and not the stakes on his left hand.

The men were approached by Bro Amar Kharki our Regional Coordinator to ask us to see him for the Wesak Day Celebration

Bro Amar was very good, helpful, friendly and he arranged for the presentation seeking permission from Cakrawati.. At first, he said only 15 minutes is given to us. After listening to us he said sang all the songs you could.

19-5-2008 We had special seating but Swami did not come back for morning Darshan.
In the evening , we were all seated in the Mandir and Swami came out at 5.00pm. Wow, Swami went past so near us and then we started to sing. (A group of 19) We sang all 7 songs. Swami enjoyed so much, he was smiling, staring at us (scanning, some said), taping to the rythmn and after all 7 songs, he signalled asking for more, unfortunately, we have none to offer. Lao shi, went to sit down.

Bhajan commenced. After a few songs, he asked his students to go and get 3 big containers of mango, he blessed and the students placed the containers in front of us. The bhajan was still on. Then he signalled to us, asking us to take the mango and also to pass to the bhajan singers at our back. He really treated us like his little children.

Swami signalled the bhajan to stop, he started to ‘scan each one of us and he signalled Lao shi and I to go up the stage.

He asked Lao Shi “ What is your name?”
Lao Shi said “Stanley Cheong”
Swami asked “What do you want?”
Lao shi said :I donot know.”
Swami laughed and said “ Do you want Baba?”
Lao Shi said ‘yes” and he materialized a gold chain for him.
He signaled Lao Shi to do Padamaskar

Lao Shi came down, I walked up and he signalled me to do padamaskar
I kissed his Lotus feet and asked “Can my sister come along?”
Swami said ‘which one?”
I pointed to Sis Huan Bee and Swami said I will come down.
But later, he went into the room and when he came out, a monk started to light the
arathi and so the session ended.

20-5-2008 Went for morning darshan and there were a lot of Nepalis men and women. Feeling that we should be contended and giving chance to others to get near to Swami. I did not go for the evening bhajan.

21-5-2008 I did not go for Darshan and Swami left for Whitefield at 8.00am. Missed the road darshan. We left for Bangalore at 9.30am.
Visited Shirdi Sai’s temple, Krishna’s and Shiva temple.
Before arriving at Shiva temple (my 3rd visit), I was thinking in my heart, ai ya, I have got
nothing to do with Shiva. However, on reaching the temple and having his darshan,
I felt strong affection and as if he is showering all love and blessing on me. I
immediately identified with him wanting to be his good devotee which I had
never had the last 2 time. Thanks Shiva.

Arrived at the Hotel arranged by Albert, Cheah and Wong KB. Went shopping at MG Road.

22-5-2008 Another long journey to Chennai Airport. The lunch stop at Woody’s restraurant was good. Except the mad chasing of cars etc, the journey was fine (2 puncture experienced by Lee’s car and one by us). Reached airport safely and timely.

Hope to have another pilgrimage with Tangkak Group and I pray to Swami that we can visit Him at Kodaikanal and all my family members can come along too. We have to spell our wish first, isn’t it?

~~~~ A happy and fulfilling Journey ~~~~~~

Thank You to ...

Sis Huan Bee, Albert, Cheah, Irene, Wong KB, Bro Lee, Stanley, Chun Ooi, Lum, LG, Kian Mooi, Ching Ying, Siew Im, Lay Sian for all the assistance and joyful company offered and everyone as we are really a harmonious and happy community for the whole trip in India

last but not least Swami…

Kim Lian