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Sai Illam History

Sai Illam has a long history, with its roots tracing back to the temple town of Nallur in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Nallur is a very famous pilgrimage destination in Sri Lanka. It is home to the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, which is an ancient complex dedicated to the worship of Lord Muruga. Thousands of devotees throng to Nallur every year to have Darshan of the radiant deities, and it is an undisputable fact that the atmosphere in Nallur is just completely full of divine vibrations.

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​It was in this holy town, that Sai Illam was inaugurated way back in 1966. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Sai Fraternity was not as big as it is today as the name and fame of Sai was just slowly spreading across the island. Swami often states that the miracles he displays are his "visiting cards", and during those early years many devotees developed faith in Swami by witnessing those incredible miracles. They were able to see before their very eyes the mind-boggling miracles that later pulled their whole lives into the Sai Fold. But, Sai Illam's founder, Sai Illam's Amma, was unable to witness those miracles. She was unable to see that beautiful physical form, whom all regalled as Divine Incarnate. She was only able to experience Sai, and that alone was enough for her.

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Nallaluxmy Amma

Nallaluxmy Amma (fondly known as Pillai Aunty) was born in the year 1922 in Nallur (Jaffna), Sri Lanka to a wealthy family. She was the only daughter, and a few days after her birth, Nallaluxmy Amma's mother passed away. Her father, Sri Vyakesampillai raised Pillai Aunty from that day forward, and was determined to give the best to his daughter as his beloved daughter was born blind! The fact that his daughter was visually impaired broke his heart, but having firm faith in the Lord, he dertmined to raise Pillai Aunty into a talented and independent woman.

Sri Vyakesampillai believed that music would be the only solace for his daughter's disability. So, he was determined to provide that gift of music to Nallaluxmy Amma. He brought in Music tutors from India, and made sure that the best was given to his beloved daughter. Even though Pillai Aunty was visually impaired, her innate musical talents showed no lacking. She was a quick learner and mastered four art forms: Carnatic Vocal Music, Carnatic Violin, Harmonium, and her favourite - the Veena. The musical background later helped Pillai Aunty come into the Sai Fold.

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During her midyears, Sri. Vyakesampillai passed away, and Nallaluxmy Amma was left to sustain herself on her own. Even though, occasional help from close relatives was there, Pillai Aunty understood that she needed to become even more independent. She chose not to marry, and began to live a simple life in the house her father left for her. It was during this time of change that Pillai Aunty was introduced to Swami, and came to know of Swami's fame and glory. She obviously did not see Swami's form or could not even witness the famed miracles. But, it was the Beauty and Grandeur of Sai Bhajans, though, that instantly attracted Pillai Aunty into the Sai Fold. She was able to experience Sai fully through singing the glory of God, and her early exposure to music greatly influenced her enticement.

Soon in the year 1966, Nallaluxmy Amma began hosting weekly Bhajan sessions on Thursdays at her home. Surrounding neighbours, and people from all over began attending those bhajan sessions. Eventually, her "Illam" (Abode) became to be known as "Sai Illam" (Abode of Sai). She established the centre as a mode of enticing individuals into the Sai Fold, and Pillai Aunty encouraged many to sing Sai's Glory. It is also worthy to note that a whole generation of Sai Devotees formed under her guidance in Nallur. Swami was her guiding light, and all she ever needed was Swami alone.

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In the year 1967, Pillai Aunty had developed a rare form of cancer, and many doctors had given up on her state of affairs. Without any other hope, she left everything to Swami to take care of. After a miraculous turn of events, her Cancer got Cancelled! Her doctors were completely dumbfounded by the miracle, and many newspapers in Jaffna circulated this miracle story at that time. This event drew even more seekers into the Sai Fold during those years.

In the year 1972, Pillai Aunty was given the opportunity to travel to Puttaparthi, with a small group of devotees. All of the pilgrims were visting Puttaparthi for the very first time. At Prasanthi, Swami granted Pillai Aunty the famous "interview", during her visit, and asked her: "Amma, what do you want?" Pillai Aunty's only wish was to see the Divine Form, at least once, whom all regalled as Pure Love. She brought so many into the Sai Fold, but was not even once able to see Swami's Beautiful Form. This was her wish, and Swami granted that wish! Pillai Aunty was finally granted a vision, in where she saw her Swami in full form! 1972 was a milestone year in Pillai Aunty's life. (It must be noted that Pillai Aunty did not get her eyesight back - she did not ask for that. All she wanted was to see Swami's form, at least once, and that was what she was granted).

As the years went by, the number of devotees continued to grow exponentially across the island. Numerous Samithis (Centres) and Mandalis (Devotional Groups) began to form throughout the country.

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Weekly Thursday Bhajan sessions continued at Sai Illam, and a whole range of miraculous events continued to unfold at Sai Illam during those years. In the year 1982, ten years after her first and only trip to Prasanthi, Pillai Aunty's health began to slowly deteriorate. She must have known that 1982 was going to be her last year of her earthly sojourn, because on the day of Swami's Birthday, of that year, she made a prophetic announcement. After the Birthday Bhajans and celebrations, Pillai Aunty rose from her seat, and announced to the packed congregation that she was going to donate her "Illam" fully to Swami. She said that Swami had given her all she ever needed, and that now was the time to give something back to her ever-gracious Swami. She decided to convert her "Illam" into a centre that would fully carry out Swami's activities. From that day forward, Sai Illam began to take its full form, under Swami's guidance. One week after her announcement, Pillai Aunty was admitted into the hospital. She chanted Sai Ram.....Sai Ram....... as she finally passed on - December 10, 1982 was that chosen day!

As the civil war heightened in Sri Lanka, many devotees from Sai Illam migrated to Canada in the early 1990s. Then in 1996, Sai Illam re-established itself here, and has ever since grown. Nallur Sai Illam continues to operate, and Bhajan sessions continue to take place every Thursday with many spiritual activites also taking place as per Pillai Aunty's wish!

Nallur Sai Illam is situated on Nallaluxmy Avenue, which is located just behind the Temple Complex.

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