About Puttaparthi Tourist Places List

About Puttaparthi, the sacred abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba is a world famous pilgrim centre.  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 seek spiritual solace.  Sai Baba was born at Puttarparti on 23rd November 1926, as Ratnakara Venkaa Sathyanarayana Raju.  At the age of 14, he announced that he was the reincarnation of famous sage Sai Baba of Shiridi (Maharashtra).  On 23rdNovember 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 Puttaparthi into a cosmopolitan township with schools, colleges, residential complexes, hospitals, a planetarium, a museum and recreation centre.  Sai Baba preached religious tolerance, universal love and service to others.  Sai Baba, the ‘god man’ is also a great education list and philanthropist. His ‘Education for Human Value’ (EHV) programme has been appreciate all over the world. Sai Baba’s birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Prasanthi Nilayam and millions of devotees come here to attend the festivities.

Places to visit in Puttaparthi

Dharmavaram (40km)

This important Hindu pilgrim centre is dotted with several ancient shrines. The most important temple is of Sri Lakshmi Chenna Kesava Swamy, with a towering gopuram.  The Ramalingeswara temple is known for its exquisite architecture.

Lepakshi

It lies about 12km from Hindupur on the road to Bangalore from Puttaparthi. According to mythological legends, Jatay, the king of birds fought here with demon king Ravanna to stop him from escaping to Lanka after kidnapping Sita, the consort of Rama.  The 16th century Veerabhadra temple here is known for its art, architecture and paintings of the Vijayanagara period and is dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu.  A he monolith Nandi seated across the Veerabhadra temple, measures about 6.10m in height and 9.15m in length and is perhaps the largest sculpture of its kind.  It faces another huge monolith of seven headed naga (serpent) sheltering a granite linga, which is a representation of Lord Shiva and Vishnu.