Overview
Puttaparthi: The World of Temple of Peace
Resting on the rocky and parched land of south-western Andhra Pradesh, Puttaparthi is a land of spirituality. It is renowned as the abode of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, an incarnation of Lord Sai Baba of Shirdi. Swami set up his Ashram in Puttaparthi 40 years ago and spent most of his life here, preaching tolerance, religious harmony, and service to humanity.
Every activity in Puttaparthi centers around the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, also known as the Temple of Peace. Once a small village, it is now a world-renowned spiritual center, situated on the bank of the Chitravathi River and beautifully enclosed within hills, located in the Anantapur district.
Main Attractions of Puttaparthi:
Prasanthi Nilayam
The Prasanthi Mandir is a two-storied granite structure inaugurated in 1950. It has a Central Prayer Hall flanked by rooms on either side, with a verandah in front and a corridor at the rear. The five religious symbols on the walls of the altar reflect the unity of all religions.
Gopalaswami Temple
This small but highly revered temple houses Lord Krishna, who is said to have self-manifested here. The village was formerly known as Gollapalli (“home of cowherds”) and later called Puttaparthi. The blood-smudged stone worshipped here, cleansed with sandal paste, revealed the figure of Lord Krishna.
Banyan Tree
Located behind the main ashram, this 50+ year-old tree, planted by Swami himself, is ideal for meditation. Visitors must maintain silence, remove shoes, and follow designated sections for men and women.
Chaitanya Jyoti
Built in 2000 to commemorate the 75th year of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s arrival, this museum showcases his life and mission through multimedia displays in seven phases. Closed on Mondays.
Excursions from Puttaparthi
Nearby places worth visiting include Lepakshi (64 km), Kadapa (155 km), and Bengaluru (155 km).
Shopping in Puttaparthi
Enjoy Tibetan jewellery, religious books, CDs, cassettes, pashminas, essential oils, and perfumes—some of the best buys in Puttaparthi.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is ideal due to pleasant weather. The birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, celebrated on 23rd November, draws devotees from across the world.
How to Reach
Air: Puttaparthi has an airport, but Bangalore Airport is preferred for better national and international connectivity.
Rail: Nearest railhead is Dharmavaram (40 km), with buses and taxis to Puttaparthi.
Road: State-owned buses operate regularly from Hyderabad and nearby cities.
