 Puttaparthi - Andhra Pradesh
 Puttaparthi, once a sparsely populated village, has shot into national and international fame as the abode of Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba. The original name of Sai Baba is "Satyanarayana Raju". He was born on November 23, 1926 in Puttaparthi.
He started showing unusual talents and purity and compassion from an early age. Baba's supernatural abilities caused some concern to his family, who took him to Vedic doctors. After being pronounced to be possessed by the divine rather than the diabolical, at the age of fourteen he announced that he was the new incarnation of Sai Baba, a saint from Shirdi in Maharashtra who died eight years before Satya was born. Number of devotees, from all over the world flock to this small town every year to have a glimpse of the Baba, and be touched by him.
His disciples have constructed the 'Prashanti Nilayam' an ashram, which attracts large number of devotees throughout the year. Prasahanti Nilayam means 'the abode of peace". The ashram was inaugurated in 1950. The ashram is a huge complex with room for thousands, with canteens, shops, a museum and library, and a vast assembly hall where Sai Baba gives 'darshan' twice daily. A considerable number of devotees turn out for his birthday celebrations in Puttaparthi, where he delivers a message to his devotees.
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 Tourism:
 The Museum: The most often-visited place in the ashram is the museum, which is located on the nearby hillock. The museum contains models of various temple structures including the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Mecca mosque, etc. The museum also depicts the story of Satya Sai Baba, right from his birth to the time he attained 'Nirvana'.
Sai Baba Ashram: The Sai baba ashram itself is a huge complex with room for thousands, with canteens, shops, a museum and library, and a vast assembly hall where Sai Baba gives darshan twice daily (6.45-7.00 AM and 3.45-4.00 PM). Queues start more than an hour before the appointed time, and a lottery decides who gets to sit near the front.
Prasanthi Mandir: The temple built in 1949 is the centre of Prasanthi Nilayam. It is a prayer hall, in which Omkar Suprabhatam (at dawn), Bhajans and other spiritual activities take place.
How to Reach Puttaparthi:
By Air: The nearest airports to Puttaparthi are Bangalore and Tirupati at the distance of 250-km and 300-km respectively.
By Rail: The nearest railhead, Dharmavaram at a distance of 30-km on Secunderabad - Dharmavaram and Pakhal - Dharmavaram line.
By Road: Puttaparthi is situated at 150-km from Anantapur and 30-km from Dharmavaram. Regular State buses from Hyderabad and major towns of A.P. Taxis are also available from Bangalore.
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