Museums:

I. Chaitanya Jyoti

Chaitanya Jyoti

Inaugurated on 18th November, 2000 to commemorate the 75th year of the advent of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, this architectural marvel houses an exhibition on the Life and Mission of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. With multimedia presentations and fascinating exhibits arranged in seven phases, the museum takes the visitor through the story of Bhagawan’s birth and childhood, the prophecies connected with His Advent, and major milestones in the grand Mission of the Avatar.

Location
It is located beside the statues of great spiritual masters of the world that stand overlooking the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View stadium.

Uniqueness of its Architecture
Constructed on a hill slope, the building is a mosaic of different architectural styles and a fusion of the ancient and the modern.

• The roof, built in typical oriental fashion, is the biggest Chinese roof outside mainland China.
• Flanking the roof on both sides are two Moorish domes made of titanium.
• The crowning semicircular ends of the roof are adorned with Gothic arches.
• The two lift shafts have Japanese style roofs.

Apart from these features, it has extensive stapathi (traditional Indian carving) work done on flat surfaces, which vastly enhances the aesthetics of the building. Fiber optic lights fixed under the Chinese roof add to the beauty of the reflected decorative ceiling. The flooring inside consists of ceramic tiles, polished granite tiles in grey and red colours, Jaisalmer marble tiles and white glazed tiles.

Timings

Entry passes: No entry passes are required and no entrance fee is collected.

II. Sanathana Samskruti Museum

Sanathana Samskruti Museum

The Sanathana Samskruti Museum or the Eternal Heritage Museum promotes one of the cardinal teachings of Bhagawan, the message of the unity of all religions. The exhibits displays highlight the main precepts of the major religions of the world and also the lives and teachings of great saints and spiritual masters whose mission has been the spiritual uplift of all humanity. It is constructed in the shikhara style of architecture characteristic of Jain temples in India. It was inaugurated by Bhagawan on 19th November, 1990.

Location
It is located adjacent to the Administrative block of the University. A road opposite the police station leads up the hill on the southern side of the ashram compound.

Timings

Entry passes: There are no entry passes are required and no entry fee is collected.

III. Planetarium

Planetarium

The Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre or Planetarium, with a seating capacity of 200, organizes shows every Thursday in two languages – English and Hindi. It employs a SPITZ SPACE SYSTEMS-512 to simulate the night sky and educate the public on the wonders of astronomy. The theatre has facilities that permit its use as a classroom. It acts as a catalyst in creating interest and also increasing the understanding of the basic concepts of astronomy, mathematics, physics and other disciplines in the students of the school and the college. In fact, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is the first university in the country to employ a planetarium for educational purpose.

It was inaugurated by Bhagawan on 22^nd November, 1985. In 2002, the Planetarium control system was upgraded to a completely computerized system, with an automation system developed in-house. In 2011, a full-dome projection system has been incorporated using the mirror-dome technique.

Location
It is situated on the main road, opposite to the Higher Secondary School Boys’ Hostel in the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyagiri campus.

Entry passes and Timings
Regular shows are held on Thursdays and Sundays with two shows on each day. Free passes are distributed at the Canteen coupon counter on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 am. Shows in English, Hindi and Telugu are available on first-come-first-serve basis. Special shows for school/college pupils or large groups above 100 in number may be arranged in advance by contacting the Public Relations Office.

IV. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram (Super-Speciality Hospital)

SSSIHMS Prasanthigram

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram or the super-speciality hospital is a 230-bed hospital that provides quality medical care at the tertiary level completely free of charge to all, irrespective of caste, creed, economic status, race or religion. The hospital provides free medical services in the disciplines of Cardiology/Cardio-Thoracic Vascular Surgery, Urology, and Ophthalmology. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India on 22nd November 1991 in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba on the eve of His 66th Birthday celebrations.

The unique architecture of the hospital and the atmosphere of love and peace that pervades it have inspired people to hail it as a ‘Temple of Healing’. The main altar or Prayer Hall at the center of the building, with a massive dome rising 90 feet high, is visited by many to find succour and comfort in communion with God.

Location
It is located about 5 kms from the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram.

Timings:
Visitors are permitted from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. on weekdays. The hospital is closed to visitors on Sundays and public holidays.

For more information please contact the Public Relations Office of the hospital. Phone: 08555 287388 (Extension: 508).

V. Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium

Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium

This stadium is the venue for the inaugural ceremony of the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of Bhagawan’s educational institutions that is held on January 11th every year. Many of the events connected with Bhagawan’s birthday celebrations have also been conducted here. The spectators’ gallery has a seating capacity of about 30,000. On 30th December 1997, the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup cricket match between India XI captained by Sachin Tendulkar and World XI captained by Arjuna Ranatunga was organized here.

Statues

Overlooking the stadium are the statues of great spiritual masters and Avatars like Krishna, Shirdi Sai Baba, Shiva, Buddha, Zoroaster and Jesus Christ. An artificial waterfall cascades down the hill behind the statue of Lord Shiva like the River Ganga that flows from His tresses. At the peak of the hill is the 65 feet high statue of Lord Hanuman that was built to commemorate Bhagawan’s 65^th birthday.

Location
It is located behind the Higher Secondary School campus in the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyagiri Campus.

VI. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Birth Place (Shivalayam)

Shivalayam

A Shivalayam (Temple of Lord Shiva) now stands in place of the house where Bhagawan was born. Bhagawan was born on 23rd November 1926, a Karthika Somavara according to the Hindu calendar, and a day traditionally devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. There is a beautiful white marble idol of Lord Shiva in the temple to which worship is performed in the morning and in the evening. Abhishekam (ceremonial bath) is performed to the idol on Mondays (Monday is considered sacred for the worship of Lord Shiva).

Shiva Statue

Location
It is located in the Puttaparthi village, down the Gopuram Road and the last turn towards the left.

VII. Samadhi (Sepulcher) of Bhagawan’s Parents

The mortal remains of Bhagawan Baba’s parents, Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Smt. Easwaramma are interred in this holy mausoleum or ‘Samadhi’. On May 6th every year, the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Easwaramma is commemorated as Easwaramma Day. On this day, Bhajans are conducted and ‘Narayana Seva’ (community feeding) is organized at the Samadhi.

Location
It is located on the Samadhi Road, a few yards from the main entrance of the Ashram.

Timings

Temples in Puttaparthi Village:

VIII. Gopalaswami Temple

This temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was brought up in a community of cowherds or gopas and He is lovingly called Gopala. The history of this temple is intricately woven with the legend of Puttaparthi. It is a small temple but of immense significance to the village folk. click here to read about the legend of Puttaparthi.

IX. Sathyabhama Temple

Sathyabhama Temple

Also called ‘Sathyamma Temple’, this is a temple dedicated to the worship of Mother Sathyabhama, the divine consort of Lord Krishna. This is a unique temple because seldom in any part of India is this type of homage offered to Mother Sathyabhama.

It was built by the pious Sri Ratnakaram Kondama Raju (the Bhagawan’s paternal grandfather) and in explanation of this unusual tribute to Sathyabhama, he said that he was persuaded to erect the temple, by events that occurred during a strange dream!

The Dream: In the dream, Kondama Raju saw Sathyabhama, alone, expectant and forlorn, waiting anxiously for her lord, who had gone on an errand to bring her the much-coveted ‘Parijatha’ flowers. The minutes increased to hours and the hours accumulated into days but still there was no sign of Lord Krishna! So, Sathyabhama broke into tears. There ensued a huge storm accompanied by thunder, lightning and a heavy shower of rain. Luckily, Her eyes fell on Kondama Raju who was passing across the place where she stood and she asked him to provide some shelter. This led to the determination of Sri Kondama Raju to raise a temple for the Consort of the Lord.

X. Hanuman Temple

Hanuman Temple

The Hanuman Temple is located in the village of Puttaparthi at the northern end of the Gopuram road. The temple is associated with a remarkable incident that occurred during Bhagawan’s childhood days. One day, young Sathya and His friends visited the temple to perform the customary circumambulation. They had gone around the sanctum sanctorum once and preparing to go around again when Sathya suddenly stopped and stood rooted to the spot as if held by some invisible force. Some of his stronger mates tried to move Him but couldn’t. He explained to His wonderstruck friends that it was Lord Hanuman who was holding Him back, and even as He said these words the boys could see Lord Hanuman holding Sathya’s feet tightly and saying, “Lord, it is I who have to circumambulate you”.

XI. Vata Vriksha or Meditation Tree

Meditation Tree

The meditation tree is a banyan tree planted by Bhagawan on 29th June 1959, under which He has installed a ‘Yantra’, a copper plate with mystic markings on it. This ‘Yantra’, measuring about 15 inches X 10 inches, was materialized out of the sands of river Chitravathi by Bhagawan sometime in April 1959 when He had gone to the banks of the river along with some devotees, as He often would during those days. Bhagawan has said that such plates, known as ‘Yantras’, are an aid to meditation as they help develop concentration of the mind and control of the senses. He has also declared the tree will attract Yogis (spiritual adepts) who have reached a certain level of attainment in their spiritual pursuits.

Location
It is located about halfway up the road leading from the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital to the Administrative Block of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.

XII. Kalpatharu

‘Kalpatharu’ or ‘the Wish-Fulfilling Tree’ is a tamarind tree that stands at the crest of a hill called ‘Obuladevara Gutta’ on the left bank of the river Chitravathi. As a young lad, Bhagawan would take devotees atop this hill and would pluck out of the tree any fruit they wished for. Thus, this tree became an instrument of Bhagawan’s leela or divine sport.

Location
To reach the Kalpatharu, one has to take the steps beginning from the foot of the ‘Obuladevara Gutta’ from Chitravathi Road.