Located on the Chitravathi River and near Bukkapatnam Lake, Puttaparthi is a picturesque town surrounded by undulating hills. It’s famed as the birthplace of guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba, with his ashram home boasting fascinating museums, a university and its own planetarium.
Things to do in Puttaparthi
Most visitors come to Puttaparthi to visit the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram, which was founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1950. Its name translates as “the abode of highest peace” and the complex consists of splendid temples, guest houses and a large darshan hall where devotees seek spiritual enlightenment.
You can learn more about the philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Chaitanya Jyoti Museum, which includes multimedia presentations and the guru’s personal belongings. It’s set within a striking building that combines both ancient and modern architectural styles, including Moorish-inspired domes, Gothic arches and Japanese-style roofing.
Don’t miss the Sanathana Samskruti (Eternal Heritage) Museum, which promotes the teachings of unity between all religions. Discover the main ideas behind each of the world’s major religions and their influential spiritual masters while admiring the museum’s Shikhara architecture.
Delve into the world of astronomy at the Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre where shows are presented throughout the week. Learn the basic concepts of astronomy and physics while discovering the wonders of the night sky. The planetarium also boasts a full-dome projection system for a unique stargazing experience.
Getting around Puttaparthi
Puttaparthi is around two hours’ drive from Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore and there are regular trains to Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi from the Sri Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam railway station. The town is easily explored on foot and buses access the surrounding towns and villages.