Puttaparthi

Located in Ananthapur District, 400-km from Hyderabad by road, Puttaparthi, once a sparsely populated village, has shot into national and international fame as the abode of Bhagwan Shri Satya Sai Baba. Domestic and foreign visitors seeking spiritual solace come to Prashanti Nilayam at Puttaparthi through out the year. An important tourist attraction of Ananthapur district, Puttaparthi is surrounded by the arid and rocky hills bordering Karnataka.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the most colourful and multifaceted prophet, modern India has produced, is believed to be the very avatar (incarnation) of love and the voice of one's own innermost heart speaking to each individual externally. The teachings of the Baba are based on the famous 'five props' of Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness) Santhi (peace), Prema (universal love) and Ahimsa (non violence). Prasanthi Nilayam, over the years, has attracted people from all over then world.

The Ashram
It has its own code of conduct, which every visitor should follow. The Ashram also has museums, stadiums, educational institutions, the Sai Space Theatre etc. The 23rd of November is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the devotees of Baba at the Prasanthi Nilayam as Sai Baba was born on this day in Puttaparthi. Over a million people gather here on the occasion of the Baba's birthday. The atmosphere around the Ashram is undeniably peaceful, and the growth of such a vibrant community in this once forgotten backward area is not a small miracle.

The Museum
The most often-visited place in the ashram is the museum, which is located on the nearby hillock. The museum contains models of various temple structures including the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Mecca mosque, etc. The museum also depicts the story of Satya Sai Baba, right from his birth to the time he attained 'Nirvana'.

Festivals & Events
Many festivals are celebrated in Ashrams, throughout the year. Few specific ones are:

Makara Sankranti
This festival is dedicated to the Sun God. During this season the sun is energizing and invigorating all life after winter seasons. This six-month period is considered specially suitable for sadhana and is very auspicious.

Vaikunth Ekadashi
This festival marks the famous event narrated in the Bhagavatham when Lord Vishnu incarnated as the Tortoise. On this day, the gates of Vaikuntha (Heaven) are said to be open for the souls of spiritual aspirants to enter.

Maha Sivarathri
Swami has said self-realization can be obtained on this night itself with the right intensity and effort as the influence of the moon on the mind is the weakest of the year. In Puttaparthi bhajans will be conducted all night and it is expected that one observe full fast and dedicate the day to prayer and spiritual practice to not waste the opportunity. Sivarathri night is the most sacred night in India of all festivals.

Guru Purnima
This festival is dedicated to the Guru and the betterment he brings to his followers life through his knowledge and by sharing this knowledge with the people.

Onam
This festival, specially important in the state of Kerala, marks the day on which Bali, emperor of this region, famed for his deep devotion to the Lord and great solicitude for the happiness and well-being of his subjects was blessed and granted liberation by the Supreme Divine.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Birthday on 23rd November.