“There is only one religion, the religion of love” These are the words of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba; the Demigod of 21st century. Puttaparthi, a small town of Anantapur District in the state of Andhra Pradesh came into the glare of publicity on the global front as the ‘Janmabhumi’ (birthplace) and ‘Karmabhumi’ of an illustrious spiritual leader of India; Sathya Sai Baba. Earlier known by the name ‘Gollapalli’ i.e. ‘the abode of cowherds’ Puttaparthi, a secluded farming hamlet set up on the banks of the river Chitravathi underwent a drastic change from an isolated settlement to a completely modernized township with the burgeoning fame of Sathya Sai Baba. Today Puttaparthi is a self sufficient community that is bequeathed with all the contemporary infrastructures of an ‘au courant’ town such as Airport, Railways Station, Super Specialty Hospital, an assortment of enlightening educational institutions and so on.

Satyanarayana Raju was born to Sri Pedda Venkappa and Srimati Eeswaramma on 23rd November, 1926. A number of unusual mysterious childhood incidences and extraordinary abilities demonstrated by this adolescent at a tender age made people believe that he was the reincarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi. The miracles performed by Satyanarayana Raju enticed people and they started deifying and worshipping him. Gradually this boy transformed into a spiritual figure and commanded millions of followers across the world. Today over 98 countries on the world map have acknowledged his Godliness and apotheosized him as the incarnation of God. Today Sathya Sai Baba is regarded as the personification of love, peace and righteousness. He is highly venerated for his ideologies of universal love and fraternity, religious tolerance, non violence and service to others. Even after his annihilation jillions of tourists flock at Puttaparthi to get the ‘Darshana’ of Sathya Sai Baba’s image in ‘Prashanti Nilayam Ashram’.

This tiny village has now turned into a much sought after religious destination of South India. The most remarkable attraction of Puttaparthi is the Prashanti Nilayam Ashram; the address of absolute peace. This ashram complex established by Baba in 1950 today houses a huge number of glamorous attractions coupled with their religious and spiritual connotations. The visitors; both devotees and tourists are utterly astonished to witness this isolated village of Puttaparthi replenished with all the amenities that a metropolitan can provide. Moreover, the ashram has also given a boost to the economy of Puttaparthi as tourists and pilgrims largely frequent this parish owing to its association with Sathya Sai Baba; the God personified. In Puttaparthi village all the religions are followed and equally respected and all the festivals are celebrated with immeasurable pomp and gaiety. The township is cram packed by the devotees of Sathya Sai on 23rd November every year when his birthday is celebrated with unparalleled grandeur.