We show you the main attractions outside the ashram in Puttaparthy beginning from the south, where you probably will first come into Puttaparthy.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences and
The Super Speciality Hospital

The building isa beautiful and breath-taking sight. It is designed with the very best of ancient and modern architecture. The dome-shaped central hall of the hospital is decorated with a magnificent chandelier. it was opened on the occasion of Bhagawan's 66th Birthday in 1991. The hospital currently has five departments: cardiology, CTVS, urology, nephrology and ophthalmology. This unique hospital caters to all sections of the population from any part of the world, medical priority being the sole consideration. All services are free. The construction of 15,000 square metres with facilities for 300 beds in less than a year is itself a miracle. All the supporting facilities and equipments of the most sophisticated kind have been provided. A very technically competent assembly of doctors and administrators manage the project, combining a rigorous pragmatism with an inspiring philanthropy. Visitors are welcome usually between 10-30 a.m. to 12 noon on week days. Cameras are not allowed beyond the imposing dome of the prayer hall. For visits, blood donation,s etc. please contact the public relations office of the hospital (phone: 87388 or 87511, extension 501). In this picture, part of it is still under construction.

Sri Sathya Sai Airport

One kilometer from the super specialty hospital is the Sathya Sai airport, which was constructed in 1990. Flight routes and timings are subject to change, and flights takes place usually only in and around fesivals. Please call the airport phone 87346 or ask at the Indian Airlines Office in the ashram, N2 A1, phone 87444.

Two-three kilometers down the road, one makes a left turn onto the main road into Puttaparthy and ashram, Prasanthi Nilayam. After passing houses and all, one sees on the left:

Gokulam (The dairy)

The ashram dairy is about half a kilometer from the ashram along the main road. It has a beautiful image of Sri Krishna at the entrance, which Bhagawan Baba Himself painted. You are requested not to go around the cowsheds or disturb the animals.

Sai Gita

On the right, Sathya Sai Baba's pet elephant, Sai Gita, is kept. Sai Gita is over 30 years old. You are requested not to make any effort to go into the stable or feed her. It is best to see her when she is taken out for a walk or a bath. During various festivals at the ashram, she is richly decorated and heads the colourful processions.

You will now pass buildings of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Smt Easwaramma High School, and the old and new hostels for boys. The picture on the left is the music college, the center one is the main building of the Institute of Higher Learning, and the one on the right is the secondary school.

Planetarium

On the left, you may get a glimpse of the planetarium. The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is the first university in the country to employ a planetarium for educational purposes. Its Space Theatre has a capacity of 200. The planetarium chamber is a well-equipped automatable, multimedia facility that provides opportunities for multipurpose, interdisciplinary use beyond the realm of astronomy. It is of immense educational value for students and visitors.

The SPITZ SPACE SYSTEMS-512 planetarium instrument employed in the theatre provides a star field of 4054 images including 88 recognized constellations and 57 navigational stars, besides globular clusters and open clusters, milky way, megallanic cloud,s and nebulae. With the computer control and over 30 special effect projectors, almost any celestial or meteorological observation can be reproduced on the sky indoors. The tilted dome (hyposphere), a new innovation in planetarium projection, permits unidirectional viewing like any other theatre (e.g. cinema hall). The viewers observe events in the same direction as they are sitting and at their eye level. Thus they become participants in the programme.

In this "space age", the planetarium has assumed the position of a "space science" laboratory as vital to the understanding of the physical universe as the physics and chemistry laboratory.

Among the programmes contemplated for the entire range of education are Night and Day, Solar System, Seasons, Constellations, and Zodiacal Signs. Located in rural surroundings, this planetarium aims to educate rural masses on the latest developments in science and technology and help remove superstition and blind faith through appropriately designed programmes.

Two shows are conducted every Thursday, each 45 minutes duration, from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. Free passes are issued at the Canteen Coupon Counter every Wednesday from 10 AM to 10.20 AM

Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium

Hill View Stadium is located behind the Higher Secondary School on the left, opposite the hill, which towers with statues of Hanuman, Krishna, Siva, Buddha, Zoroaster, Shirdi Sai Baba, Christ, and a mosque, it is an imposing view. The picture on the right is taken from the north end, looking south. Bhagawan Baba addresses the mammoth gathering from the shanthi vedika (covered podium) on the southern end of the stadium on His Birthday on 23 November every year. Among other events held here is the annual sports and cultural meet for the schools and colleges on 11 January. An international cricket match for the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup was held in this lush green stadium on 30 December 1997. Top cricketers from India as well as from other cricket playing nations played in this exhibition match.The stadium is not open to public except when in use.

Chaitanya musuem

At the northwestern part of the Hillview Stadium is the Chaitanya Museum. It is a "must-see" for everyone! This museum is based on life and works of Sathya Sai Baba.It was inaugurated in November 2000 on the occasion of Sai Baba's 75th Birthday.

As you proceed along the main road, you will pass under an arch that has the figure that you see on the right. Just after it, you'll see lots of stores on the left and right. Further along, you'll see a road that leads up the hill to the left. This road takes you to the following three sites.

Meditation Tree

The banyan tree, planted by Sathya Sai Baba, has a metal plate with inscriptions done with divine sankalpa (will) embedded by Him at the roots in 1950. Located on the left of the road uphill to the spiritual museum, the tree enhances the spiritual success of those who meditate under it. Visitors are allowed to meditate only during day time.

Spiritual museum

The spiritual museum is located on top of the hill on the southern side of the ashram. Centered around the experience of spirituality in man's evolution, it displays fascinating artifacts to convey the eternal message of saints and sages of all the religions of the world. Legends of Bhagawan Baba's early life and His declaration of avatarhood are emphasised in the displays. Sprawling over 20,000 square feet on three levels, it is designed to evoke the common spiritual quest of man, regardless of chronology or country. The architecture of this building is in the Shikara style, as is the administrative building of the University. The museum is open between 10-00 A.M. and 12 noon on all days of the week.

Administration building

The administrative building of the University is a magnificent structure, located adjacent the museum. It stands as the sentinel of the happy amalgam of the secular and the spiritual, which is the foundation of the education system established by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Deemed University, established in 1981, conducts courses in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in arts, science, and professional subjects. Admission regulations, requests for application, and prospectus are advertised in the Sanathana Sarathi inDecember and January every year. Devotees may however contact the heads of these institutions while visiting Prasanthi Nilayam. There are three campuses: in Puttaparthy (for men), Whitefield (for men), and Anantapur (for women). In consonance with Bhagawan Baba's teachings, education in all these institutions is free.

Gopuram

Continuing along the main road, you finally come to the ashram and the "Ganesh gate", so called because of the Ganesh statute inside. This is where most people go in and out. Further down, you'll come to the Gopuram (see the pic on the right). It was inaugurated just after construction on 18 November 1975, during the 50th Birthday celebrations. This imposing and inspiring "Gopuram" was built by devoted hands in the South Indian style of temple architecture. Baba had the ancient temples of Puttaparthi rebuilt, including the Gopalkrishna temple, associated with its history through the ages. This is the entrance to the ashram that Sai Baba uses, when He leaves or comes back by car. Directly inside it is the main gate of the darshan area, Sai Kulwant hall.

Village Proper

In the village proper, you'll see lots of stores, homes, hotels, and the like, as well as old temples. As you go into the village, you can see the Gopalaswami Temple (Lord Krishna as cowherd), the Hanuman Temple, and a small temple of Sathyabhama (Divine Consort of Lord Krishna). There is also an old mandir (temple) that is now called Pedda Venkappa Raju Kalyana Mandapam. Itis used mainly as a wedding hall.

Mosque

For the convenience of the local Muslim population, Bhagawan had a mosque and a hall constructed and opened in 1978. Prayers are conducted regularly.

Samadhi

The Samadhi of Bhagawan's parents, Sri Pedda Venkappa Raju and Smt. Easwaramma,is located in Samadhi Road, a few yards from the Ganesh Gate. Every year during Eswaramma Day, 6 May, special bhajans are conducted here and hundreds of poor people are fed.

Siva Mandir
The birthplace of Bhagawan Baba is now adorned by a Siva Temple, opened by Bhagawan in 1979. Puja (worship) is performed here every day at dawn and dusk. Legends of His birth and boyhood leelas can be visualised here.