The Making Of SaiKrushna Mandir- Construction Updates

THE MAKING OF SAI KRUSHNA MANDIR- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

SKM as it will be after  Phase 1 and Phase 2

With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, Phase 1 of the children’s home – Sai Krushna Mandir – is to be inaugurated on 23^rd November, 2012. While there are numerous challenges, the SKM construction team is working to ensure that the foundation, construction and funding are all moving along expected timelines.

By Swami’s grace the earthwork, excavation and building work for Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir began on GURUPOORNIMA: 3^rd July, 2012.  

The school students initiated the whole proceedings with a prayer to Swami at the village temple tree. They sang bhajans and chanted Sai Gayathri. Prayer was also made to a neighbouring tree seeking its permission to cut a few of its branches (which were protruding into the area of construction) for the noble purpose of building the children’s home. At exactly 11 am the Borewell drilling lorry began the work of drilling for water. The children and all the villagers got together and cheered the proceedings. In fact many of the alumni students were actively involved in counting of rod- lengths drilled into the land. An interesting experience flagged off the entire construction work--- Normally, water is expected in that region at a depth of 700 metres with a yield of 2”- 2.5”. However, by Swami’s Divine blessings, we were able to get excellent potable water at a depth of 450 metres and a phenomenal yield of 4”. The entire village had assembled to join in the wrok and celebrated when water was found. Usually, the bore well contractors stop drilling once water level is reached. However, in this case, all the villagers got together and requested, pleaded, demanded and asserted all at once that this was for the purpose of 108 orphans and hence the bore well people should dig at least 20 feet further to ensure that there are no water shortages in future. The bore well contractors were taken aback at this mass appeal and yielded to the persuasion saying that they too were happy to be part of this mission.

Sai Krushna Mandir after Phase 1

The support of the entire village of 300 odd people was so overwhelming and humbling that we were left in tears at the way Swami inspires individuals who may not even have seen Him. Literally, every drop of water that the children shall drink would have the stamp of His Divine Hand and grace.

The markings for foundation work were also done and the earth moving machines were employed to dig deep enough for a strong civil foundation. Over the next few days, cement and steel were purchased by us at some subsidy and these were used to erect pillars for the sub structure. Centering work of the pillars was done and these were erected in pits sanctified with the sand and Vibhuthi from Parthi.  A Tank was constructed for water storage and for the purpose of curing the cement works.

Meanwhile, we have secured permission from the electricity board to harness power for the proposed building and work is underway to get a motor to pump the water from the borewell to the tank.

As of 31^st July, the foundation work for Phase 1 is complete and the plinth work is in progress. We anticipate that the first roof for this Phase will be complete by the end of August or first week of September.

 We look forward to all your active involvement and participation in this God given opportunity. We also welcome you to come and visit the site and witness the making of Sai Krushna Mandir. From our side, we will keep you updated through Venugaanam and the website. You are also free to contact us directly for any further information. We are confident that, just as Swami’s bounteous blessings ensured the procurement of excellent drinking water and land, Swami’s grace will crown our genuine intentions and He will continue to guide and bless the entire effort.