Puttaparthi

Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram

Set up by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru and spiritual leader, Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram is well-known for its calming atmosphere away from the chaotic city life. Nestled amidst hills and overlooking River Chitravarthi, the ashram’s settings justify its name which translates to ‘the Abode of Supreme Peace’. The entire premises boast of superlative architecture painted mainly in blue, yellow and pink. Among the top ashram highlights are the two museum buildings called Chaitanya Jyoti and Sanathana Samskruti Museum, each flaunting splendid architecture and some amazing exhibits. The Space Theatre or Planetarium, which organizes interesting shows of astronomy, is another amazing site inside the ashram campus. Visitors, especially devotees, also like to visit the ashram’s temples like Lord Shiva Temple (marking Sai Baba’s birthplace), Lord Dattatreya Temple, Gopalaswami Temple, Satyabhama Temple and Hanuman Temple. Ashram’s attractions also include two holy trees - the Meditation Tree (a banyan tree) and the Wish-Fulfilling Tree (a tamarind tree). Visitors to the ashram can attend chants, religious performances, prayers and other activities throughout the day. The ashram also offers accommodations at extremely cheap prices. Visitors are not allowed to bring items like mobile phones, cameras, electronic goods, bags and purses. Smoking, alcohol, non-vegetarian food and gambling too are prohibited.