Shri Dwarkamai, a center of spiritual excellence, non-profit and tax-exempt organization under IRS code section 501(c) (3) of the USA, celebrated the 12th Anniversary of Shri Sai Palkhi Utsav, Sai Rainbow 2018 cultural event and Sai Samadhi centennial year celebrations on Saturday April 14th, 2018, between 5:00 pm to 10: 30 pm at Eisenhower Jr. High School, 800 Hassell Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL. The event was attended by hundreds of devotees from different walks of life, with their families and friends.
Dwarkamai Chicago Sai Palkhi started 12 years ago in Chicago land by Hari Prasad Valada and Sai Roopa Valada under guidance of Shri Anil Naik. Once in a year Shri Sai Palkhi is conducted during the weekend between Ugadi, Gudi Padava and Ram Navami. 2018 is 12th year of Sai Palkhi Utsav being celebrated in Chicago land area. Significance of Sai Palkhi is Devotees take Palkhi to all other devotee homes. Sai Palkhi is a procession by devotees, for devotees with devotion towards our lord Sadguru Sai. The purpose of Shri Sai Palkhi Utsav is to glorify God residing in every individual, foster the growth and spiritual development.
Event started with Sai Samadhi centennial year celebrations by worshipping the cow followed by cow feeding/bhojan, Brahmin Bhojan to 11 priests. All the family members of Shri Dwarkamai volunteers participated in celebrating Centenary year of Saibaba’s Samadhi. All men wore Dhoti, Palkhi-T-Shirt and Turban while women wore saree with Sai-Inside tag. Honorable Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy and Honorable Indian consul Birbal Anand were part of the evening.
After centennial year celebrations, Mahesh Voora as Master of ceremony welcomed everyone to Sai Rainbow cultural program 2018. Program started by the singing the Indian national Anthem and American National Anthem. “Jana Gana Mana” was performed by Anagha Voora and “Star Spangled Banner” was performed by Gauri and others. Honorable Indian consul Birbal Anand addressed the audience. Trivia questions asked by Mahesh Voora on mythology and significance & scientific reason behind hindu traditions are highlight of the event and got very good response from audience.
An impressive Cultural Programs started by a Story telling combined with singing on Lord Ganesha and Godess saraswati by Anagha Voora. Subsequently following equally spectacular performances followed in quick sequences as follows:
A Comtemporary Medley – Free style with Semi Classical on Lord Ganesha & patriotic songchoreographed by Rina Thakur – Rina Rockers. Semi classical dance praising the Lord Shiva as Nataraja for Nada vinodam song choreographed and performed by Susmitha gunreddy. Musical drama for Jiyo re Bahubali song choreographed by Rina Thakur – Rina Rockers. Bharatnatyam dance in praise of Lord Shiva for Shivashtakam choreographed by Vijaya Lakshami – Natraj Dance Academy. Performance for Gondhal, Marathi song on Goddess Durga choreographed by Sreelekha Sama. Dance performance for govind bolo song dedicated to lord Krishna choreographed by Sridevi Donthi. Bollywood fusion dance for Akar bakar bombay bo choreographed by Garima Singh- Team TAAL.
Indian fusion dance with 4 different dance forms – Bharatnatyam, Kathak, HipHop and Bollywood- Dedicated to Lord Krishna choreographed by Saloni Shah. Girl Power Medley dance for Aarambh hai prachand song choreographed by Rina Thakur- Rina Rockers. Lord Krishna dance based on the movie Bahubali for Kanna nidurinchara song choreographed and performed by Richita Donthi, Ipsa Bijumala, Nishka Bijumala. Bollywood Fusion dance for Nakhra tera ni choreographed by Garima Singh- Team TAAL. Bollywood Fusion for Main bani teri Radha song choreographed by Saloni Shah and Deepa Jani-Thakkar. Patriotic- an experimental choreography based on the grammar of Kuchipudi. This item is offered as a tribute to Mother India and praises her for her principles of equality, love and tolerance dance performance for Jayathi Jayathi Bhaaratha Maatha song choreographed by Janaki Nair-Aananda Dance Theater. Folk Dance for Ghoomar Ghoomar song choreographed by Rina Thakur, Rina Rockers. Curtain came down after dynamic grand finale for the patriotic song – I am India by Rina Rockers and all the devotees of Shri Dwarkamai.
Delicious Maha Prasad served after cultural event. Beautiful decoration by Akshata events. DJ and lighting by Dhiraj gupta of jsm-entertainment The Sai Palkhi Darshan and Procession took place which consisted of taking the Shri Sai Baba Palkhi (palanquin) with the picture of our Guru- Shri Shirdi Sai around the school gym area accompanied by singing of hymns, chanting, dancing and spiritual merriment in the form of a religious procession. The event concluded with the Aarti and the Sai Palkhi Darshan. So many volunteers dedicate their time and effort to make Sai Palkhi successful every year.
Shri Dwarkamai is dedicated to organizing events and conducting activities directed towards personal spiritual development of the community based on Shri Shirdi Sai philosophy. The operations include running Centers of Spiritual Excellence, lectures by Vedic scholars, health and wellness professionals, meditation sessions, yoga, kid’s enrichment activities and giving back to community.
