Puttaparti
Puttaparti, the sacred abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba is a world famous pilgrim center. Millions of devotees from all over the world visit Sai baba’s ashram called as Prashanti Nilayam, meaning the ‘abode of highest peace’ over here to seed spiritual solace. Sai Baba was born at Puttapart on 23rd November 1926, as Ratnakara Venkata Sathyanarayana Raju. From a very young age he showed great concern for fellow human being and performed numerous miracles. At the age of 14, he announced that he was the reincarnation of famous sage Sai Baba of Shirdi (Maharashtra). On 23rd November 1950, Prashanti Nilayam, his main ashram was inaugurated. The ashram is a large complex with guest houses, dormitories and dining halls. It can accommodate thousands of visitors and is worth seeing for its magical serenity and divine ambience. The ashram has transformed the small village of Puttaprti into a cosmopolitan township with schools, colleges, residential complexes, hospitals, a planetarium, a museum and recreation centre. Sai baba preaches religious tolerance, universal love and service to other. Inspired by his teachings, devotees all over the world have changed their lives dramatically. Sai Baba, the ‘god man’ is also a great educationalist and philanthropist. His ‘Education for Human Value’ (EHV) programme has been appreciated all over the world. The Sai Baba trust runs an educational institution called Sri Satya Sia Institute for Higher Learning with deemed varsity status. The trust also undertakes projects for free for improving conditions of living task undertaken by the trust is the ‘Drinking Water Project’, which has provided much needed relief to the dry-belt of Anantapur district. Theis gigantic project has quenched the thirst of millions of people in 731 villages of the district, by laying pipelines to a length of 2500 kms., constructing hundreds of reservoirs and overhead tanks at a cost of more than 250 crores of rupees. This unique project is only one of its kind in the world and has been completed in less than a year. Sai Baba’s birthday on 23rd November is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Prasanthi Nilayam and millions of devotees come here to attend the festivities . elaborate arrangements are made for the comfort of visitors during this time.