Puttaparthi Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Sightseeing Highlights:

Prasanthi Nilayam remains the centre of attraction. The complex has several rooms, a museum and a library as well. Devotees receive Sri Satya Sai Baba's blessings at the vast assembly hall, called Sai Kulwant Hall where almost 20,000 devotees gather each day. Next to the hall is Sarva Dharma Aikya Stambha, a 50-foot high column of concrete which was constructed to represent the unity of all faiths in the world.

The museum perched on a hillock inside the complex has a huge collection of Shirdi Sai Baba's sacred texts and replicas of famous temples elsewhere in India. Ganesha Temple, Prashanti Mandir and Gayatri Shrine are some of the important temples inside the complex. Prashanti Mandir is a huge two-storey granite structure where colossal statues of Shirdi Sai Baba and Satya Sai Baba are installed. Poornachandra Auditorium built in 1973 is one of its kind in Asia with absolutely no supporting pillar. The auditorium is the main area for cultural events and functions.

Other Activities:

Puttaparthi is known for its handicrafts and silk fabrics. Some of the shopping outlets in the town are Ancient Arts and Crafts, Winsome Silk Emporium and Sai Maruti Textiles. The small town of Lepakshi a few kilometres away is famous for its heritage sites, beautiful mural paintings and temples. A large monolithic sculpture of Nandi, Shiva's bull welcomes visitors to this historic town. The Veerbhadra Temple is a good example of Vijaynagar style of architecture with three distinct parts or mandapas of which the Kalyan Mandapa has around 38 incomplete carved monolithic pillars in grey sandstone.

Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Centre
Tourism Department
Hyderabad
Telephone: 040-23450444