Puttaparthi is a town in Ananthapur district of the South Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is situated about 30 km from Dharmavaram and 250 km from Bangalore. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sri Sai Baba, was born here. The power and aura of him attracted lots of devotees from all over the country and even the world.
The devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba increased in large numbers in Puttaparthi and its surrounding places. A weekly `Bhajan` is organized here, which consists of the recital of devotional songs, hymns and verses in praise of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai and all other forms of God. This sacred place where he stayed is called `Prasanthinilayam` and the place is very peaceful. This place has very serene atmosphere, subtle silence and is said to be a heaven on Earth. The `Sathya Sai Baba Trust` offers untiring services to the very cause of humanity through a variety of its institutions, hospitals and projects. This trust has made a drinking water project which quenches the thirst of all the people of Puttaparthi and the whole Ananthapur district. The dry areas of the district also get water supply from here.
The Sathya Sai Baba Trust also runs a hospital here in Puttaparthi. It has specialist doctors, experts, famous surgeons and also advanced medical equipments which incorporate sophisticated technology. The hospital offers free service to the needy people of the region. The educational institution in Puttaparthi has attained varsity status. The course here includes special subjects in spirituality and meditation.
There is also a museum on a nearby hillock in Puttaparthi. It contains models of the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Holy Mosque at Mecca, etc. There is a planetarium within the premises of the holy Prasanthinilayam. The planetarium virtually takes the viewers to the unknown parameters of the mysterious universe.
