GUDDALI POOJA FOR ANJANEYA TEMPLE AT SUMPOORNA

When I set out with my parents, wife and sister for SUMPOORNA on 16th Feb, 2008 - I had little inkling of what was to transpire. The idea of our trip was to stay for one night in the campus like a family and accept my parents' blessings for the battles ahead. We enjoyed the serenity of the campus and an `online' Pratibha gave us the best moment of this day by singing a song from 2500kms away. Each one of us sang - even Lakshmi! Full of joy we slumbered off to sleep.

The sun-rise is always special in Betta Shambhunahalli as it brings with it new hopes. I talked to the SUN - my request that today he has `risen' for me alone was atrocious - yet he walked with me when I walked among the silver oaks. Prem did an extended two hour exercising session on the terrace. The village children arrived and took the basketballs for playing. I don't understand why the youngest ones always take the `bigger' balls. Is it to prove that they are big! After playing, they were served breakfast - not before my father made them chant religious mantras which they did very enthusiastically.

As we started packing up, we had a small task of meeting the Poojari for the `date' for Guddali Pooja. The `surprise' came none too soon. We were told that a most auspicious time was today at 5pm. So we returned to SUMPOORNA, had our lunch and began the preparations. The Anjaneya's idol that had laid for more than two years was finally opened up and as I lifted it in my arms, I felt it to be heavy and then suddenly my muscles tensed and I felt a strange `joy'. The miracle had taken place. Anjaneya had decided to `come out' - the quest of SUMPOORNA can be a thousand times, nay a million times stronger now. The GOD OF CHILDREN, the GOD OF SPORTS, the GOD OF HEALTH - can bless all of us in the CHILDRENS' COUNTRY of SUMPOORNA.

Inspite of facing a `traffic jam' and reaching late at night, there was a smile on my lips. I had been given `as usual' more than I had asked. Now it is my turn to match it!