Latest News about National pilgrimage 

National all night bhajans and Sri Rudram chanting
Good health guidance 
 Pre World Conference
Indian Visa guidance 
 SSE Fact Sheet

National Pilgrimage update: Website & Factsheet
 National Pilgrimage SSE Musical Offering Practices and Guidelines
Accommodation
Communication update from UK National Chair
Sadhana Plan-Prayers
Spiritual Diary
Visa for India
Charter Flights



National all night bhajans and Sri Rudram chanting
 Open



Good health guidance
Open



Pre World Conference

Sai Ram!

I would be grateful if you could please encourage those devotees who have yet to register for the Pre-World Conference to do so ASAP. I know many devotees think that July 17th is a long way away and that they can leave registration to the last minute. However, once we hit our quota we will stop registration and are eager to manage the devotees expectation as best we can.

Please could you also inform your respective Centre/Group chairs to let the devotees know that further to recent communication from the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation we will be extending the programme on Saturday evening to include dinner and evening Cultural Programme. One of the items during the Cultural Programme will be a performance from Dana Gillespie. The evening programme should be over by 8.30-8.45pm. Therefore, please remind devotees that if they require accommodation at a devotees home they should let their Centre/Group Chairs know so that they in turn can inform Raj Uncle.

Those who wish to make their own accommodation arrangements may also do so. There is a Premier Inn behind the venue, some 5mins drive away on the Purley Way.


Indian Visa guidance
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SSE Fact Sheet:
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National Pilgrimage update: Website & Factsheet
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National Pilgrimage SSE Musical Offering Practices and Guidelines

Sai Ram All,  
Please pass on the following information to all the parents of the children who are participating in the National Pilgrimage SSE Musical Offering.  I suggest that in addition to forwarding this email, you hold a 15 mins meeting with the children and the parents at the end of your Centre Bhajan meeting and go over each point and clear any misunderstanding and doubt.  It seems that a lot of the parents are unaware that there are practices every week and the children need to practise the songs and learn the lyrics at home as well. Our communication is not working at its best so a meeting will help.

 

 
  • Practices for the offering will take place every Sunday at Mill Hill Centre (Totteridge).  Musicians will need to arrive in time for 10:30am and the singers will need arrive in time for 11:00am start. We will aim to finish at 1:15pm.
  • Children will need to conform to the SSE dress code.  All whites.  Girls will need to wear "Chunni"/"Dupatta"/"Shawl" and ensure that their hair is tied back.
  • Children are expected to bring a light snack e.g a sandwich, a fruit and a drink (avoid food that will cause litter).  They will have a drink and food break between 12:00 midday and 12:15pm.
  • As we want to offer the best and time is limited it is important that children practise (30 mins per day) the songs by listening to the music and learn the lyrics which can be downloaded from the following site
 
 
  • Those children who have not submitted the commitment form must do so next Sunday (18/4/2010). 
  • Parents are expected to set example and participate in the Study Circle or the Rudram Chanting classes (which ever is running on the day)
  • Parents and children must engage in Sadhana (every individual going on the Pilgrimage is expected to do this); Lords Prayer in the morning at 7.00am and chant the Maha-Gayatri Mantra 9 times at 7.00pm
The Lord’s Prayer
O Lord, take my love, and let it flow in fullness of devotion to Thee;
O Lord, take my hands, and let them work incessantly for Thee;
O Lord, take my soul, and let it be merged in One with Thee;
O Lord, take my mind and thoughts, and let them be in tune with Thee;
O Lord, take my everything, and let me be an instrument to work for Thee.


Accommodation
Could all those travelling on the UK Pilgrimage who have their own accommodation in Prashanti, or will be making their own accomodation arrangements outside of the ashram (and did not register these on line during the on line registration process) please notify Brother Gurmail Region 3 Chair on

email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or through your Pilgrim Co-ordinators.

If you can accommodate any fellow pilgrims within your accomodation then that would be of great assistance.

This also provides a service opportunity for those who will not be travelling, but have access to private accomodation, to come forward and make this available to friends by local private arrangements.

Pilgrims who can arrange their own accommodation through private local arrangements are to notify brother Gurmail Region 3 Chair.

Your timely co-operation and assistance in this matter will enable
your regional pilgrim team to plan effectively and make your stay in Prashanti as comfortable as we possbly can.

Kind regards
Gurmail
Region 3 Chair


Communication update from UK National Chair

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

Om Sri Sai Ram!

On behalf of the UK Central Council, thank you for registering with the National Pilgrimage – August 2010. We are looking forward to serving you and your family and making sure that you have an uplifting and deep spiritual experience during your stay in Prashanti Nilayam. I would like to take this opportunity to give you an update on some recent changes:

 

Registration closed at midnight on 27th February. 1,450 devotees have registered to join the National Pilgrimage. Please kindly note that we will not be extending the deadline. Your Regional teams are now in the process of reaching out to all fellow Pilgrims to confirm their attendance and participation as well as check personal details and flight arrangements. If you no longer plan to join the Pilgrimage for whatever reason, I would be grateful if you could kindly inform your Regional Chair.

 

The Ashram has received a number of requests by many countries to travel to Prashanti during the month of August. This is because of the school summer holidays. Many people are therefore eager to have Bhagawan’s special darshan this year as they may be unable to travel for the 85th Birthday in November. United Kingdom has kindly been asked to be flexible and understanding whilst the Ashram tries to meet the wishes of the devotees.

 

What does this mean in practice? This will mean that our dates will need to change slightly by a few days in order to assist the Ashram.Our Pilgrimage will now be from 31st July – 7th August. Accommodation in Prashanti will commence from 30th July and we will need to vacate the Ashram by 7th August (anytime after evening darshan) as another big group will be arriving on the morning of 8th August. 

 

All devotees will be given a room during their stay in the Ashram, please note that this may be on a basis of a minimum of 6 people sharing a room. The needs of the elderly, families with small children, people with special needs and first time pilgrims will all be looked after. Also, those devotees that have already booked flights and were planning to depart after the original date of 9th August will be given guidance and support. We should at all times be considerate to other devotees and only stay in the Ashram during our allotted times.

 

Please could you ensure that your arrangements reflect this change in dates. The return date has already been changed for those travelling together with the Pilgrimage group on Kingfisher airlines and additional seats are available. For further information please contact Siva on  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and our independent travel team will get back to you.

 

We will be dealing with all other practicalities at the Regional Sathsangs and on a 1-2-1 basis. Please keep checking the Pilgrimage website (www.nationalpilgrimage.org.uk) for any updates and ensure that you have subscribed to Love & Light which will have further updates and information.

 

In the first instance, I would kindly request that if you have any questions please contact your Regional Chair. The National Chair and National Vice Chair are also available to assist and help you. We apologise for any inconvenience that this change may have caused you. Thank you for understanding and for giving all pilgrims the opportunity to have Bhagawan’s darshan and blessings.

Lovingly, In Sai Service

Shitu Chudasama

National Chairperson


 Sadhana Plan

Prayers

Spiritual Diary 

Spiritual Diary from the National Spiritual Wing for distribution



Visas for India

If you have travelled to India you will not be given visas again until 2 months have elapsed. There are some exceptions and it is urged that devotees to familiarise themselves with the Indian High Commission information on the website:http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/notices.aspx


Chartered Flight

Since the National Conference,  many devotees are asking if there are joint travel arrangements for the August Pilgrimage. Over the past few weeks there have been in discussions with Kingfisher airlines and they have come up with a very good deal for the National Pilgrimage to Prashanti in August. There will be 2 Charter flights to India. Please see information below:

Airline: Kingfisher (There will be two groups each will be travelling on the same day)

Dates and Time: Both Group will be leaving London 29th July 2010 at 21.00 and Arriving Bangalore 30th July before 3.00 PM.
Departing 10th August 2010 (Morning)
Airport: London Heathrow. Booking request must be received by: As soon as possible.
Cost: £435 per ticket (at airline cost with no agency fees)

 The airlines have agreed to assist devotees by dividing the cost of the ticket into two payments. The first payment of £225 is due when you register and the deadline for this is 1st March 2010 and the final payment of £210 is due on 30th April 10. Please note that the seats which we have reserved will be allocated on first-come-first-serve basis.

The original ticket cost was £470 but as this is a Special Pilgrimage they have agreed to the discounted payment of £435.

Kindly note that you will need to pay the initial deposit of £225 in order to secure your booking and seat. The airlines have informed us that the initial deposit will be non-refundable.

The following additional services are also available.

- Devotees who would like to stay longer in India can change the return journey date and destination. There will be an additional charge.

For further information and to book if you could please contact Bro. Siva Sivanathan and his team on 07956385121 and email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it