Spiritual Activities at Sri Sai Krishnalaya:
After the Prathistabhana Vaibhavam every morning mangal snan and puja are performed to Shirdi Baba, Spatika Lingam, Sri Krishna idol and Padukas along with idols of Lord Ganesh, Gayathri Mata and Hanuman. Purusha Suktam and Sri Vishnu Sahasrananam are chanted as per the practices in Shirdi temple. On Thursday morning and noon, abhisheham with milk and panchamirtham in the South Indian tradition are offered to Baba and all idols including Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba’s padukas. During the noon aarathi, Rudraabhisheham is performed with milk. It is worth mentioning here the unique experience the devotees get on Thursdays. All devotees, both men and women are given opportunity to perform milk abhisheham to all deities including Shirdi Baba idol.
Devotees are taught to sing Sai bhajans, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam and Gayathi mantrams to fully engage them spiritually during their presence in the temple.
Devotees are guided to make kootu prarthanai (joint prayer) in unison to Bhagawan prior to the main aarathies to fulfil the prayers of other devotees in addition to their own submissions mentally and in the form of letters to Bhagawan. Several sick and distressed persons have benefitted immensely from these kootu prarthanai.
Seating areas for men and women are demarcated as per the traditions of Sai Kulwant Hall in the Prasanthi Nilayam at Puttaparthi. Every devotee can perform aarathi to Baba and the deities all four times on Thursdays.
In the evening on Thursday, ashtothara archanas are performed with flowers to Sri Krishna, Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai avatars. For each of the above, devotees wishing to offer flowers are selected among the participants. After the evening aarathi is over, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is chanted by devotees in the time available before the night aarathi.