Prashanti Nilayam - the abode of GOD

Train details:
Train 2691 Chennai 2330 hrs / Puttaparthi 1020 hrs -only Fridays
Train 2692 Puttaparthi 1910 hrs / Chennai 0515 hrs - only Sundays

Train 1014 Coimabtore 0800 hrs / Puttaparthi 1830 hrs - daily
Train 1013 Puttaparthi 1730 hrs / Coimbatore 0630 hrs - daily

We(Anand, Pavithra & me) had planned a trip to Puttaparthi during the last week of Sep'09. We left Chennai on 25th Sep by Train No.2691. During the onward journey, the train stops at Bangalore for around 45 minutes - time to get our breakfast from the hotel near the station (good food & good service - upma, chutney & sambar - all packed neatly in different containers with spoons & tissue paper). It is advisable to buy breakfast in Bangalore because nothing is available in the train till it reaches Puttaparthi.

We reached Puttaparthi at 10 AM (20 minutes early). We were anxious to get a room in the Ashram because we were told that getting room in the Ashram is next to impossible during the festive season and we were advised not to visit Prashanti Nilayam during this period because of the huge crowd. Railway station is 8 kms away from Prashanti Nilayam (Rs.100/- auto charge). We were in the Ashram by 10.30 on the 26th and Anand immediately went to the Accomodation office. By around 11 AM we were given the keys to the room - immediately we thanked Swami. Anand & I felt that Swami is taking care of us and were elated.
More pleasant surprise when we entered the room. The room was neat and clean, with 2 double cots, 2 mattresses & 4 pillows (my sis-in-law Anitha was to join us on 26th evening - the Accommodation Officer was not aware of the 4th occupant in the room!). On many occasions that we (totally 5 of us) stayed in the Ashram earlier, the rooms had either no cot or only 1 cot. In the room, there was also a candle & match box, hangers to hang clothes in the cupboard & certain essentials in the clean toilet - may be left by devotees who stayed prior to our check-in. The view outside the room was also very scenic with distant hills, lots of trees & colourful plants/creepers.
We had lunch in the Western Canteen (Pavithra enjoyed her lunch here). Anand & I kept telling that Swami is taking care of us so well. Afternoon darshan was good - the hall was packed to its capacity, Swami came by wheel chair & returned by car (though I was not seated in the first few rows, I still felt happy beacuse it was only due to HIS grace that we were able to have HIS darshan). Anitha joined us in the evening.

Except for 3 mornings when Swami did not give Darshan, we generally had good darshan on all days. One of the mornings, all 4 of us had excellent darshan. It was beyond 10 AM and Swami had not turned up. Then by around 10.20 AM, Swami came in wheel chair, took his usual round of the hall, accepted Aarthi & went back in the car - Divine darshan ! I felt, despite Swami's various programs, HE came to give a quick darshan to his yearning devotees. Swami gave discourse on one of the days. When he noticed that many of the devotees were getting drenched in the rain outside the hall (because of want of place inside), he stopped his discourse & saw to it that all were accomodated in the hall - Swami, the epitome of love.

We also met Ashwin in his hostel (Anitha's son) who is studying in Swami's College at Puttaparthi. We were glad to note how happy he was to be in Puttaparthi and the many occasions that Swami's students get to be close to HIS physical presence.

Anitha left for Coimbatore on 1st Oct by Train No.1013 & we 3 left for Bangalore for my Sister's place on 2nd Oct by 1.30 PM bus - very comfortable bus journey, and back to Chennai on 3rd Oct by Chennai Mail.

Truly, peace prevails in Prashanti Nilayam and why not, when we are close to HIS physical presence.