Puttaparthi, a religious center in South India, is the birth and residing place of Satya Sai Baba. Located in Anantpur District, Puttaparthi is visited by millions of devotees annually. Satyanarayana Raju, now known as Satya Sai Baba was born in Puttaparthi on 23 November, 1926. His miraculous heavenly powers and teachings of Satya (Truth), Shanti (Peace), Dharma (Self-righteousness), Ahimsa (Non-violence) and Prem (Love) resound in the mind and heart of all devotees. Places of tourist interest in Puttaparthi concentrate on establishments by the Bhagvan himself or his devotees. These include:
1) Sri Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam: Prashanthi Nilayam is an ashram with peaceful ambience. Inaugurated in 1950, the ashram is a place for gathering of over a million visitors. Satya Sai Baba offers ‘darshan’ to his devotees twice a day in this ashram.
2) Birth place: Satya Sai Baba was born in a small shed across Chaitravati River.
3) Satyabama Temple: Satyabama is believed to be the consort of Lord Krishna. The only temple of Satyabama in the world was built by Bhagvan’s grandfather after he dreamt of Satyabama drenched in rain and asking for shelter.
4) Village Mosque: A plate with Muslim inscriptions was discovered from underground at Puttaparthi’s border. Earlier this place had become a hot-spot for accidents and deaths. The Bhagvan indicated moving the holy plate to the temple after excavating it, which put an end to unholy incidents in the area.
5) Sri Raju Kalyana Mandapam: The Old Mandir, built in 1945 is now being used as a free mandap for marriages in the village.
6) Wish fulfilling tree: The Kalpa Vriksha is a Tamrind tree, where Bhagvan had created many miracles by fulfilling the wishes of his fellow friends.
7) Hanuman Temple: The image of Lord Hanuman is seen on the cave wall, with a stream of water flowing at his feet. The water is representative of tears of Lord Hanuman, shed in his devotion to Lord Rama. One can also find a lingam dedicated to Lord Shiva at the cave entrance.
8) Samadhi: This is the spot where the Samadhis of Satya Sai Baba’s parents are seen. Located on Samadhi Road at a small distance from Ganesh Gate, the poor are fed during several occasions at this place.
9) Chaitravati River: The holy River of Chaitravati, flows in Puttaparthi at a distance of 0.5 km from the ashram.
10) Gokulam: The cowshed, which serves as a source of milk for the entire town of Puttaparthi is called Gokulam.
11) Sai Gita: The Elephant was gifted to Satya Sai Baba by Madras Zoo in 1965. It is a symbol of Lord Ganesha and the elephant resides inside the temple.
12) Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences and The Super Specialty Hospital: Miraculously constructed in a period of 1 year, the hospital spreads over 15000 acre area. It is a reality, which was earlier described as ‘impossible’ by WHO.
13) Satya Sai Nagar: This Samaj houses Harijans who suffered due to famine in Chaitravati River.
14) Sri Satya Sai Hill View Stadium: Inaugurated by former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, this stadium holds international standards.
