The Global Akhanda Bhajans is a yearly affair that is met with much gusto, devotion and enthusiasm by Swami’s devotees all around the world. For us students, it is yet another chance to express our gratitude and love to Him. And in the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel for Senior Boys, this is taken very seriously.

The purpose of the Global Akhanda Bhajans is to pray for and promote global peace, harmony and well-being. Swami has always stressed upon the power of collective prayer and how it can unite the people praying towards a common desired outcome and through this event, a multitude of devotees come together to collectively pray to Swami for freedom from poverty, sickness and for emotional, spiritual as well as worldly satisfaction for everyone around the world. The energy created by the overnight Bhajans is unmatched and there is certainly a spark in the air afterwards that leaves all the witnesses refreshed and charged with spiritual and integral fervor.

The entire 24-hour Akhanda Bhajan is meticulously structured into 45-minute time slots, with each window allocated to different groups of devotees, allowing them to sit in the revered ‘third block’ and offer Bhajans of their choice with heartfelt devotion. These time slots also include dedicated windows for students—from the schoolboys to various classes of the Institute—ensuring active participation across all age groups. Fittingly, the event begins with a session by the Prasanthi Bhajan Group and concludes with their soulful renditions as well. The continuous stream of devotional singing, which commenced at 6 PM on the 9th of November, carries on uninterrupted through the night and culminates at 6 PM on the 10th. In keeping with tradition, the event concludes with the distribution of prasadam—delicious pulihora (tamarind rice) and chakra pongal (sweet rice)—to all devotees present in Sai Kulwant Hall, marking the end of a spiritually uplifting experience.

Every year, thousands of devotees gather at Prasanthi Nilayam to participate in the Global Akhanda Bhajan, with many more joining the event virtually from around the world. Sai Samithis and Sai Centres across the globe also take part enthusiastically in this continuous 24-hour devotional offering. This year, marking the 99th Birthday of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed an even larger influx of devotees, further enhancing the spiritual grandeur of the occasion. The atmosphere was deeply devotional, filled with uninterrupted bhajans, heartfelt prayers, and a collective sense of unity. The event coincided with the ongoing End Semester Examinations at the Institute, posing a unique challenge for the students. However, their enthusiasm remained undeterred. Students participated wholeheartedly in the bhajans while diligently managing their academic responsibilities. Their ability to balance both was a testament to their dedication and, above all, to the divine grace of Bhagawan, which enabled them to do justice to both commitments with sincerity and devotion.