When talking about popular sightseeing spots around Andhra Pradesh, places like Guntur and Kakinada are spots that all the tourists are aware of. Renowned for being the home of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, this is one of those towns that exude peace and divinity. Beyond the main ashram of Sai Baba, there are several other places to visit in Puttaparthi the next time you plan your visit. To ensure that you have a memorable vacation in Puttaparthi, having a well-curated travel plan can make all the difference.
Top Places To Visit In Puttaparthi
Puttaparthi offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and architecture, making it a captivating destination for both spiritual seekers and curious travellers.
1. Prasanthi Nilayam
Photo: j929 / Wikinmedia Commons
Among the tourist attractions in Puttaparthi, the Prasanthi Nilayam is undoubtedly one of the most revered spots. It is the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This is a sprawling ashram that exudes spiritual energy and divinity. Most of the tourists who have visited this ashram mention that the place allows you to truly focus on your mind and take things easy. The Sai Kulwant Hall, a massive auditorium, is the heart of the ashram where devotees gather for prayers, discourses, and bhajans. During the evening time, getting to be part of the bhajans and the prayers is an experience that you can’t swap for another.
Location: Ganesh Gate, Puttaparthi Main Rd
Timings: 6 AM – 9 PM
2. Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre
Photo: StateTheatreNJ / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the most unique attractions to visit in Puttaparthi is the Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre. This is an impressive planetarium located within the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram complex and is a perfect destination for an immersive educational experience. If you are interested in learning more about astronomy and space sciences, this is the best spot for you to visit. The planetarium was inaugurated in 1985 by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and has since been an important centre for science education in the region. One of the main attractions of the space theatre is the state-of-the-art projection system that displays the wonders of the universe, including stars, planets, and galaxies.
Location: Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi Main Rd, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh 515134
Timings: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
3. Chaitanya Jyoti Museum
Photo: Mefodiyz / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the top Puttaparthi tourist places that you can consider visiting is the Chaitanya Jyoti Museum. It is nothing short of an architectural marvel featuring a blend of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Gothic, and Moorish styles. The museum was established and opened to the public in 2000 and inside you will find a variety of collections of artefacts, photographs, and personal belongings of Sai Baba. The best part is that the displays are in chronological order, allowing you to get a glimpse into the life of this renowned spiritual leader.
Location: Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 3 PM – 5 PM
4. Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium
Photo: Huy Phan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
As the name suggests, the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium is a high-altitude stadium from where you can witness uninterrupted views of the surrounding hills. The stadium, set against the backdrop of lush green hills, is a massive arena capable of accommodating thousands of spectators. It is primarily used for the annual Sports and Cultural Meet of the Sri Sathya Sai educational institutions. Inside the stadium, you can also find large sculptures and idols of Indian deities and saints, including Lord Hanuman, Lord Krishna, and Buddha, that overlook the field.
Location: Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
5. Wish-Fulfilling Tree
Photo: Seervims / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the popular place to visit in Puttaparthi is the Wish-Fulfilling Tree. The tree is located inside the main Sai Baba ashram and like the name suggests, it is believed that anything you wish for under this tamarind tree comes true in real life. Legends say that when Sri Sathya Sai Baba was a child, he would bring his friends to this very tree and tell them to wish for any fruit that they would want. Surprisingly, despite being a tamarind tree, there would be a unique fruit that his friends would wish for.
Location: Chitravati Rd, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh 515134
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
6. Meditation Tree
Photo: Neelakshi Singh / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
A lot similar to the wish-fulfilling tree, another one of the places to visit in Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh is the meditation tree. While the wish-fulfilling tree is a tamarind tree, the meditation tree is an expansive banyan tree inside the ashram complex. Many visitors suggest that the tree exudes peace and calmness, which explains why it is such a popular site to visit while you are in Puttaparthi. Devotees and visitors often sit under the tree to meditate or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The tree is surrounded by lush greenery, adding to the sense of tranquillity.
Location: Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
7. Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Photo: Himesh Mehta / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Beyond the sightseeing spots dedicated to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi also has a variety of other tourist attractions. Among them, the Anjaneya Swamy Temple is one of the top tourist places in Puttaparthi. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is one of the oldest temples in the region. This temple is believed to have been established before the birth of Sai Baba and holds significant religious importance. Inside the temple, Lord Hanuman is worshipped as a protector.
Location: Peddakammavaripalli, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh 515134
Timings: 4 AM – 9 PM
8. Gopuram Gate
Photo: Jagadeesh. S / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Gopuram Gate is the grand entrance to the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram and is an iconic landmark in Puttaparthi. This towering structure, built in the traditional South Indian temple architecture style, is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that depict various mythological stories. This particular decorated gate was built as a devotion to Lord Ganesha back in 1975. The main attraction of this gate is the astounding craftsmanship and attention to detail, which you can witness in the sculptures and the carvings that are prominently visible on the gate.
Location: Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24*7
9. Gokulam
Photo: Abhimanyu7793 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
To step back in time and immerse yourself in further devotion, visit Gokulam, which is an accommodation option located inside the ashram. Since there are thousands of devotees visiting every day, the place is usually booked way in advance. You’d have to book your spot a few months in advance to ensure that you can secure your spot in the ashram’s guest house. The reason why you should experience staying there is because of the hygiene, safety and the price of staying in these accommodations is extremely cheap and affordable too. You also get to explore the grounds of the ashram during the evening, adding to the charm.
Location: Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24*7
10. Sathyabhama Temple
Photo: VasuVR / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Last on the list of the Puttaparthi tourist places list is the Sathyabhama Temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna and is one of the only ones you will find in the country. The beautiful architecture is reminiscent of the staple South Indian style architecture that we witness in the majority of the other temples in close vicinity. There are intricate carvings, murals and sculptures, which are nothing short of a visual treat. Beyond that, you can offer your prayers and soak in the peace and serenity surrounding the temple.
Location: Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24*7
There are a lot of different places to visit in Puttaparthi, each standing out with a specific significance. The next time you plan a visit to this South Indian city, you can spend the majority of your time immersed in the history and teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. However, spend the remainder of the time exploring the rest of the town too. For a well-rounded vacation, ensure that you have all the bookings sorted with TripXL ahead of time.
Cover Photo: Thewhiteboard / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only