Puttaparti, Information about Puttaparti, Puttaparti Tour

Puttaparti, the sacred abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba is a world famous pilgrim center. 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 seed spiritual solace. Sai Baba was born at Puttapart on 23^rd November 1926, as Ratnakara Venkata Sathyanarayana Raju. From a very young age he showed great concern for fellow human being and performed numerous miracles. At the age of 14, he announced that he was the reincarnation of famous sage Sai Baba of Shirdi (Maharashtra). On 23^rd November 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 Puttaprti into a cosmopolitan township with schools, colleges, residential complexes, hospitals, a planetarium, a museum and recreation centre.

Sai baba preaches religious tolerance, universal love and service to other. Inspired by his teachings, devotees all over the world have changed their lives dramatically. Sai Baba, the ‘god man’ is also a great educationalist and philanthropist. His ‘Education for Human Value’ (EHV) programme has been appreciated all over the world. The Sai Baba trust runs an educational institution called Sri Satya Sia Institute for Higher Learning with deemed varsity status. The trust also undertakes projects for free for improving conditions of living task undertaken by the trust is the ‘Drinking Water Project’, which has provided much needed relief to the dry-belt of Anantapur district. Theis gigantic project has quenched the thirst of millions of people in 731 villages of the district, by laying pipelines to a length of 2500 kms., constructing hundreds of reservoirs and overhead tanks at a cost of more than 250 crores of rupees. This unique project is only one of its kind in the world and has been completed in less than a year. Sai Baba’s birthday on 23^rd November is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Prasanthi Nilayam and millions of devotees come here to attend the festivities . elaborate arrangements are made for the comfort of visitors during this time.

Around Puttaparti

Dharmavaram (40 kms.)
This important Hindu pilgrim centre is dotted with several ancient shrines. The most im portant temples is of Sri Lakshim Chenna Kesava Swamy with a towering gopuram. The Ramalingeswara temple is known for its exquisite architecture. It has seven independent pillars, which produce seven different musical notes when struck. The temple town is also famous for its cotton and silk weaving industry.

Lepakshi :
It lies about 12 kms. From Hindupur on the road to Bangalore from Puttaparti. According to mythological legends, Jatayu, the king of birds fought here with demon king Ravanna to stop him from escaping to Lanka after kidnapping Sita, the consort of Rama. Jatayu was fatally injured but passed on the information to Rama before breathing his last. Lord Rama was very pleased and said “Le Pakshi” which in Telugu means ‘arise bird’, thus releasing Jatayu’s soul from the mortal body and the town came to be known as Lepakshi.
The 16^th century Veerabhadra temple is known for its art, architecture and paintings of the Vijayanagara period and is dedicated to bath Shiva and Vishnu, which is a rare occurrence. The sacred shrine set atop a rocky outcrop was built under the patronage of two brothers – Viruppana and Viranna, the governors of Penukonda under the Vijayanagar empire. Its hanging shikhara above the main shrine is a marvel of architecture. The mukhya mandapa in front of the sanctum is adorned with exquisite sculptures. The musical pillars engraved with creeper scrolls in the kalyana mandapam are some other notable features of this spectacular shrine.
A huge monolith Nandi seated across the Veerabhadra temple is more popular than the shrine itself. If measures about 6.10 metres in height and 9.15 metres 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. Asvayuja Masam, an important 10 day festival is held in the month of February. Special prayers are conducted on all Mondays.

Penukonda (27 kms)
The historic hill fort built during the Vijayanagara period is surrounded by seven bastions and a moat dug around it. After the fall of Vijayanagar empire it became headquarters of the Aravidu rulers. In 17^th century it was captured by the Qutub Shahis, followed by the Mughals and then the Marathas.
The main attractions are the summer palace of the Vijayanagara kings and the extensive remain of the Sher Shah Mosque. Other places of interest are the Gagan Mahal, a Munsif court built during the British rule and Bhogasamudram, a huge lake used as public bathing place.

How to get here

By Air:
The nearest airport is located at Hyderabad, about 140 km. Hyderabad is connected with Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nagpur, and Vishakhapatnam.

By Rail:
Puttapartiis linked to all the important cities in India by rail.

By Road:
Puttapartiis connected with all the major cities like Hyderabad, Yadagirigutta, Vijayawada, Armur, Kolanupaka, Jangaon, Kodad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Suryapet, Palampet, Jagtial, Khammam, Bhadrachalam, Basara, Bangalore, Mysore and Tirupati.

To know the distances from Puttaparti click here.