On Shivarartri, March 8th, Her Holiness Chalanda Sai Ma Sri Nithyananda Sarvanandmayi Ma received the title of "108 Mahamandleshwar,” meaning 'head of many ashrams,' at the Satuwa Baba ashram in Varanasi, India. The only known Western woman to receive this title, Sai Ma is a international humanitarian, spiritual master and peace leader who has centers in Boulder and Crestone, Colorado, as well as students worldwide. 
The March 8th title ceremony was widely covered by television and newspapers, including Zee News, Sahara, and AAJ TAK television, and the Times of India. Many articles circulated around globe. Sai Ma's title is officially recognized by the Indian government, and with it, she will also be honored with a special seat at the Khumba Mela. 

A marathon mystical celebration started in the morning with a private initiation of Sai Ma by Jagat Guru Pujaniya Satuwa Baba (known as Satuwa Baba). In attendance at the afternoon title ceremony at the all-male Satuwa Baba ashram was respected master Pujaniya Rameshbhia Oza, the most popular Kathakar in India, who has millions of followers. 400-450 sadhus honored Sai Ma's learning and eligibility for the title of "108 Mahamandleshwar," each putting a scarf and garland on her. Near the end of the ceremony, she called up all the male disciples and offered them prasad, saying, "I hope one day I will also see little girls here." She says that even in spiritual communities there must be a balance between male and female. 

After seeing Sai Ma, who comes from the Shiva lineage, covered with garlands, people were talking in streets and calling Sai Ma the "Flower of Shiva lingam," reported Satuwa Baba's assistant. That night the celebration continued with hundreds of thousands of onlookers paying tribute to Sai Ma as she rode in a horse-drawn chariot alongside Satuwa Baba, also in a chariot, through the streets of Varanasi.

Satuwa Baba also gave Sai Ma the new name of "Sarvanandmayi Ma," which translates to mean 'the Mother who gives bliss to each and every being on the planet Earth.' Satuwa Baba gifted her with a new ashram across the Ganges from Varanasi, which Sai Ma has named "His Holiness Jagatguru Satuwa Baba and Her Holiness Sarvanandmayi Sai Ma Moksha Dham, Kashi." 

Sai Ma seeks to bridge the spiritual traditions of East and West. In so doing, she is following in the footsteps of her forebears. "My great grandparents lived in Uttar Pradesh in India,” Sai Ma explains, "and moved to the United States where they started working for healing and transforming the rejected and depressed through divine power." 

Parameshwara, head brahmachari at the Temple of Consciousness ashram in Crestone, Colorado just returned there from Varanasi. He says, "Through Sai Ma's teachings, and her ashrams, we are bridging the East and West. She brings the Divine Mother—Shakti—to the Father—Shiva— in a union of love that serves the planet."

On January 27th, Sai Mai received the titles of “Her Holiness” and “Master of Enlightenment” from the Chancellor of the Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya University at the International Vedic Conference in Hardiwar, India. A Scroll of Honor given to her states, “We feel blessed to find amidst ourselves Her Holiness Lakshmi Devi Chalanda Sai Ma, who has taken the flag of Vedic religion, philosophy and culture to America and Western countries and given the message of holy rishis to the world."

The not-for-profit charitable organization founded by Sai Mai, Humanity In Unity, supports humanitarian projects around the world, and serves all races, religions, nationalities, and cultures. For more information, go to www.HumanityInUnity.org.