Visiting Sai Baba at Prashanti Nilayam - Puttaparthi
This page last updated:1 May 2011
Sai Baba's Ashram at Puttaparthi is called Prashanti Nilayam. Prashanti Nilayam means "the abode of Highest Peace". This is a very big ashram with the capacity to house thousands.
- Ashram Facilities are on the Ashram page.
- Other facilities and utilities in Puttaparthi Township can be found on our Utilities page.
- Accommodation within and outside the ashram (See note for Overseas Devotees below) is on our Accommodation page.
- Travel information has been moved to our Travel Page.
First, Verify
Accommodation is not provided inside the Ashram when Sathya Sai Baba is not at Prasanthi Nilayam, usually during the summer months (April and May).
Sai Baba is resident in Prashanthi Nilayam Ashram most of the time. There are some websites you can check for information.
There is a web notification service here which has accurate up to date information on Sai Baba's whereabouts:
http://www.sathyasai.org/whereis.htm
Also, the Central Trust Website, http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/ has a scroller across the top announcing the whereabouts of Sathya Sai Baba.
You may also also check the Sathya Sai Books and Publications Website http://www.sssbpt.org/Home.asp
- this site also has a notification on the top as to Swami's whereabouts.
You may also wish to check Sai Baba Website, which has most up to date information, and quickly. See http://www.ssso.net
Accommodation in Prashanthi Nilyam Ashram
View of Gopuram Gate, Prashanti Nilayam
Ashram Accommodation
Ashram Accommodation policy:
Allottees of room, even as visitors, will obtain their rooms.
Donors of North Block Rooms: are permitted to stay for maximum of 2 months in a year (June 1 to 31 May), not the calendar year. Their stay can be continuous or multiple - total may not exceed 2 months.
All other overseas devotees will not be allowed to stay in the ashram for more than 30 days in any given year (June 1 to 31 May)
It is Swami's wish that visitors return home and engage in sadhana and service to the needy in their own country.
Obtaining Accommodation
You cannot book ahead and obtain rooms to stay in the ashram; it is not a hotel with accommodation that can be reserved. You must travel to the ashram and go to the relevant Accommodation Office.
Accommodation is of two types - Rooms and sheds. Allotment of any type of accommodation is subject to availability. The Ashram reserves the right of admission to the ashram and its accommodation facilities.
During festivals usually there are large crowds. Hence at such times, room accommodation may be difficult to secure and only sheds may be available.
No separate room is allotted to an individual. However, rooms may be allotted if two or three persons of the same gender agree to share a room.
Advance reservations: No advance reservations are made for individuals and families. However, large groups may make arrangements in advance by contacting the Accommodation Office.
Accommodation charges are minimal for Indian Citizens. Common Halls and Dormitories are levied at Rs 5/- per day and rooms are levied Rs 130/- per day. Foreigners should read further down the page, the charges are different. The accommodation receipt must be carefully preserved during your stay in the Ashram and produced whenever asked for.
Staying in the Ashram
If you are resident in India and you wish to stay in the Ashram, you must go to the Accommodation Office for Devotees from India and Nepal, which is located in Canteen Road, and is one of the offices at the rear of Poornachandra Hall (opposite the South Indian Canteen, and is numbered Room no 7 ). This office is clearly marked on the Windows and is staffed until 9PM at night.
For Indian Citizens (NRI see below)
If you wish to obtain accommodation inside the Ashram, each person will be required to produce ONE of the following documents:
- His / her Voter Identity Card (the Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India).
- PAN Card
- Driver's Licence
- Passport
- Bank Pass Book (with attested photograph)
- Any other credible photo identity documents.
Please note that in case of a family, all members above the age of 10 are required to produce one of the above documents. Children (below 10 years of age) alone are exempt from the above rule.
For INDIAN CITIZENS who arrive in Prasanthi Nilayam during non-office hours (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.), accommodation will be provided for a day in the dormitories, as allotted by the Seva Dal volunteers at the Ashram entrance. These devotees are required to report to the Accommodation Office later during office hours and collect their accommodation receipt in order to extend their stay in the Ashram
Foreigners and NRI
The Ashram provides low cost accommodation to those who visit Sathya Sai
Baba. Rooms are available for Married couples, and those travelling alone or in
a group are allocated rooms in one of the many accommodation blocks. All rooms
have shower, toilet and vanity. Dhobi's (washer-men and women) visit each
accommodation block morning and afternoon to collect and return washing. Seva
Dal provide security and there are watchmen allocated to every accommodation
block in the Ashram. Accommodation is usually granted for three or four weeks
stay.
Note: persons under the age of 25 years, travelling
alone, will be refused accommodation in the ashram. Persons under the age of 25
should be travelling in groups or with family.
Foreigners and Non-Resident Indians (NRI) need to carry their valid Indian passports while registering themselves at the Registration and Accommodation Office for Overseas Devotees located in North-8, A-1.
[photocopy of relevant passport pages will not be accepted]
Important Note for Overseas Devotees
The Accommodation Office at Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, through appropriate channels, let it be known that devotees in large numbers are currently coming to Prasanthi Nilayam on pilgrimage from overseas.
In order to quicken the administrative process of providing accommodation, they have suggested that all devotees have the following ready before proceeding to seek accommodation in the ashram at Prasanthi Nilayam.
1. Passport size photo - one copy.
2. Completed Accommodation Form (http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pdf/REGIST2.pdf). This need to be completed by individuals and details of other members of that family can be provided on this form. A hard copy need to be provided at the Accommodation office.
Those travelling in groups are also requested to provide a hard copy of the Passport-Visa Details-duration of stay of all members in the group. Passport, Visa details and duration of stay are requested in spread sheet format and taken to the Accommodation Office.
3. Devotees travelling between 25th July and 5th August are to note that 5 members of the same gender will be allocated to a room. Generally it will be 4 to a room and may be more as the date moves closer to November.
Overseas devotees are now allowed only 30 days stay in the ashram per year. This 30 day period runs from July to June of the next year - Guru Purnima to Guru Purnima. If you have stayed in the ashram and exceeded your thirty days in a 12 month period, you must find accommodation elsewhere. This is on account of the huge influx of devotees arriving daily via massive yatras and very large group pilgrimages (in the thousands) arriving in Prashanthi Nilayam.
Foreigners and Non Resident Indians should complete and bring the Registration form to the Accommodation Office for Foreigners. This form is available for download at this link: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pdf/REGIST2.pdf
Devotees travelling to Prasanthi Nilayam are requested to note that the accommodation office will function daily from 6 am to 8 pm. If you are flying to Bangalore and arriving at night, may be allocated to the sheds by the Seva Dal at the Ashram Gates.
Rooms
Rooms are generally allotted to families and not to a single person. However, if two or three individuals of the same gender agree to share a room, they may be allotted a room. All rooms have two cots and mattresses.
Dormitories
Dormitories are allotted to ladies only, with up to eight ladies per dormitory.
Common Halls (Sheds)
Common halls are allotted to gents only.
All Dormitories and Common halls are provided with cots and mattresses.
Advance reservations: No advance reservations can be made. However, large groups may be able to make arrangements in advance, preferably by contacting the Accommodation Office well before the planned time of arrival
.Single people under 25 years: Individuals below 25 years of age are not permitted to stay in the Ashram premises alone, unless they arrive in a group or with their family. They may however participate in all the Ashram activities like Darshan, Bhajans, etc. and can use the common services such as canteens, shopping complex, etc. while making their own arrangements for their accommodation.
Payment: All payments towards accommodation charges must be made in cash (in Indian rupees) only. There is a bank counter inside the Ashram premises where devotees can exchange their foreign currency for Indian rupees.
Accommodation charges are minimal: Sheds and Dormitories for ladies are levied at Rs 25/- per day and rooms are levied Rs 140/- per day. The accommodation receipt must be carefully preserved during one’s stay in the Ashram and produced whenever asked for.
Overseas devotees are now allowed only 30 days stay in the ashram per year. Many devotees that have just arrived - that were here earlier e.g. Birthday, Christmas or for Shivarathi - are now being refused accommodation because their 30 days are already up. This 30 day period runs from July to June of the next year - Guru Purnima to Guru Purnima. If you have stayed in the ashram once in a 12 month period and that stay exceeeds 30 days, then you must find accommodation elsewhere. the old 60 day rule has been sent aside. This is on account of the huge influx of devotees arriving daily.
Accommodation in Prashanti Nilayam Township
There are many hotels outside the ashram, in the Prashanti Nilayam Township. Comparable to two-three-four-five star hotel accommodations are available, along with guest houses and other accommodation rooms. As far the guest houses are concerned, if you are arriving at festival days and accommodations is full in the ashram, or simply want to live on your own without sharing rooms, you can go room hunting. Rates vary according to season, and you should bargain intensely as rates are very exaggerated and overpriced for the quality of the room. You should start your offering at Rs. 150 per night unless the place is more simple and small without running water. Sai Baba of India dot com has an extended list of accommodations in Puttaparthi.
Reccomended Hotels
With all hotel accommodation, 5% luxury tax applies. Note the govt intends to increase luxury tax on airconditioned rooms in the annual budget (rumoured to be vicinity of 10%), so there may in future be a price change on all hotel rates. Many hotels also supply free breakfast, free wifi to rooms, laundry service and all recommended hotels have a doctor on call and a travel desk. You should check the facilities available when booking.
Also note, different tariff rates may apply during season.
Sri Sathya Sai Towers Hotel
Sai Towers Hotel
(in the main street, opposite ashra), with Handicrafts, Bookshop, two resturants, South Indian, Western); Foreign Exchange; airport pickup and drop taxis available. Phone 91 8555 287270, 287327, Fax 91 8555 287302
Single Non AC Rs 550
Single Deluxe Non Rs 1100
Single AC Rs 950
Double Non AC Rs 1900
Double Deluxe Rs 2400
Sai Towers Suite Rs 4200
Sai Family Suite Rs 5500
Extra Person Rs 500
Sai Renaissance
Sai Renaissance
By Pass Road, Puttaparthi. (appprox 5 minutes walk from ashram, has a resturant); see Sai Renaissance website for view of accommodation, and tariffs. Has hotels at both Whitefield and Puttaparthi.
5 minute walk from ashram.
Have their own taxis.
Double Room 1200
Double Room A/C 1900
Phone +91 08555-287591, 287592,
FAX +91 08555 287324
email info@sairenaissance.com
Om Hotel
Off Main Road opposite Ashram
Non A/C Suite Single 1600/- Double 1800/-
A/C Suite Single 1800/- Double 2000/-
Deluxe 2300/- A/C 2500/-
Suites Rs 3000
Extra Person Rs 300
Phone +91-8555-288802
Fax +91-8555-288803
Airport pickup and drop available
Hotel Sai Paradise
Off Main Road opposite Ashram
Suite Single 1150/- Double 2000/-
Luxury Suite Single 1650/- Double 2500/-
Extra Person Rs 500
Phone +91-8555-289599
Fax +91-8555-288669
Airport pickup and drop available
Sri Sai Plaza
Gopuram Road, approx 5 minutes walk from ashram.
A/C Suite 4 Bed Rs 2000
A/C Suite 3 Bed Rs 1500
A/C Deluxe Rs 1200
Deluxe Rs 800
Extra Person Rs 200
Phone/Fax +91 08555-287411
Hotel Sri Sai Sadan
Hotel Sri Sai Sadan
[MEDA'S Guest House]
Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi,
email srisaisadan [at symbol] gmail [dot] com
email medaguesthouse [at symbol] gmail [dot] com
Address: SBI - Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi
Double Room - Rs 810
Aircond double - Rs 1170
Family Suites - Rs 1800
Vegetarian Resturant
Sai Prashanth Towers
Near Gopuram Gate, Prashanti Nilayam,
adjacent Ashram and KVS Complex
Rates on Application
telephone +91-08555-286229
fax +91-8555-286229
Hotel Sai Gangaputhra
Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi,
Phone 91-08555-288882
Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi
All Rooms Double
Aircond double - Rs 1500
Non A/C double - Rs 900
Hotel Chaithanya International
Nearby Bus Station
Hotel has Veg Restaurant and many facilities;
Have their own taxi service and car park;
Contact: Phone 91-8555-287265
Fax: 91-8555-286152
Rates: Deluxe Rooms from Rs 700-1500
Budget Rooms from Rs 300-800
Hotel Sai Heritage
Nearby Gopuram Gate
Has small shopping complex; Hotel has Veg Restaurant and many facilities; Have their own taxi service;
Contact: Phone 91-8555-288680
Fax: 91-8555-287468
Internet: www.saiheritage.com
Rates:
Single Non AC Rs 1050
Single AC Rs 1250
Double Non AC Rs 1250
Double AC Rs 1550
Double Deluxe Rs 2100
Family Suite Rs 2300
Sai Family Suite Rs 3100
Sai Heritage Suite Rs 4100
Extra Person Rs 300
- Ashram Facilities are on the Ashram page.
- Other facilities and utilities in Puttaparthi Township can be found on our Utilities page.
- Accommodation within and outside the ashram (See note for Overseas Devotees below) is on our Accommodation page.
- Travel information has been moved to our Travel Page.
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