Visiting Sai Baba at Prashanti Nilayam - Puttaparthi
This page last updated:11 April 2012
Maha Samadhi Observance and Mahotsavam
Prashanti Nilayam
SRI SATHYA SAI ARADHANA MAHOTSAVAM
Programme for 23 rd -25th April, 2012 at Prasanthi Nilayam
Monday, 23rd April
- 08:00 a.m. Veda Recitation
- 09:00 a.m. Colloquium on "Experiencing the Divine - from the Form to the Formless"
- Lighting the Lamp
- Welcome
- 09:05 a.m. Introduction of the Theme and Address by Dr.Samuel Sandweiss
- 09:30 a.m. Address by Swami Shuddhanada of the Yogoda Society
- 10:00 a.m. Bhajan
- 10:30 a.m. Mangal Arati
- 05:00 a.m. Address by Sri Jayaraman of the Ramanashram
- 05:30 p.m. Cultural Programme
- 06:15 p.m. Bhajan
- 06:45 p.m. Mangal Arati
Tuesday, 24 th April
- 08:00 a.m. Veda Recitation
- 08:20 a.m. "Guru Vandana" by University students
- 08:50 a.m. Address by Trustee
- 09:00 a.m. Release of Book on Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
- 09:05 a.m. Introductory remarks by the author Padma Shri Dr.G.Venkataraman
- 09:10 a.m. Address by Sri E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh
- Bhajan
- Mangal Arati
- 05:00 p.m. Cultural Programme
- 06:30 p.m. Bhajan
- 06.45 p.m. Mangal Arati
Wednesday,25th April
- 08:00 a.m. Veda Recitation
- 09:00 a.m. Bhajan
- 09:30 a.m. Mangal Arati
- 05:00 p.m. Veda Recitation
- 05: 20 p.m. Talk by a student of the University
- 05:40 p.m. Address by Dr. G.Venkataraman
- 06:00 p.m. Cultural Programme
- 06:45 p.m. Bhajan
- 07:00 p.m. Mangal Arati
Streaming Events from Prashanti Nilayam
Radio Sai Global Harmony are providing an up to date streaming of events from the Prashanti Nilayam Ashram. To see the latest streaming of events, go to http://media.radiosai.org/www/
86 Birthday Celebrations, Prashanti Nilayam
86th Birthday Celebrations at Prashanti Nilyam are found on this page
Eternal Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba Unveiled
On Friday, 15 July 2011, the shrine (called Samaadhi or Sannidhi in India) of Sathya Sai Baba was unveiled in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prashanti Nilayam (the darshan hall). If you would like to have a full size version of the shrine itself, click on the image below.
Letters to Sai Baba
For many, many years, devotees of Sathya Sai Baba wrote letters to Baba. These letters were of different kinds: spiritual and personal requests and invitations. Some devotees wrote letters as a spiritual discipline of love. You will see in the photo above that there are three baskets kept beside the Samadhi itself. One basket is for flowers, the next basket is for letters to Baba, the far basket is for invitations to Swami - for house-warming ceremony, ground-breaking rituals and Wedding Invitations. You may take your letters to the Samadhi.
Appropriate Place for Pilgrimage
The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has recently issued a Press Release responding to enquries from devotees as to the appropriate place for their pilgrimage to the Abode of Sathya Sai Baba. The Central Trust indicated the appropriate place is Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparthy. Read the Press Release.
Speak Truthfully, Follow Dharma
Devotees of Sathya Sai Baba along with seekers of divinity and admirers of the works and teachings of Sathya Sai Baba have been assailed by recent extraordinary claims in the media about values found in the living premises of Sathya Sai Baba. The Ashram authorities have conducted several press meets and revealed all matters, in addition to correcting misinformation.
The Sri Sathya Sai Ashram, on occasion of Guru Pournima, has placed an insert in the major newspapers clarifying these matters; the Eternal Legacy, is available for reading
Darshan of Samadhi of Sai Baba
Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba, Sai Kulwant Hall
Timings for the Darshan of Maha Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba have been given. The morning session would begin at 0800 hrs. with Vedic chanting for an hour followed by Bhajans till 0930 hrs. and Darshan would continue till 1100 hrs.
Evening session begins at 1630 hrs. with an hour long Vedic chanting followed by Bhajans to end with Mangala Arathi at 1800 hrs. Darshan in the evening will continue till 1930 hrs.
Meanwhile, devotees who are willing to visit Puttaparthi may take notice that life in in the township has come to normalcy and buses and trains are plying as per schedule. Shops and other establishments are also open and working normal.
Daily Schedule in Mandir
Morning
- 5.20 – 5.45 am -- Omkar, Suprabhatham
- 5.45 – 6.15 am -- Nagarsankeertan
- 8.00 – 9.00 am -- Veda Chanting
- 9.00 – 9.30 am -- Bhajans
- 9.30 am -- Mangala Arathi
- 9.30 – 10.30 am -- Bhagawan’s Maha Samadhi Darshan
Evening
- 4.30 – 5.15 pm -- Veda Chanting
- 5.15 – 6.00 pm -- Bhajans
- 6.00 pm -- Mangala Arathi
- 6.00 – 7.00 pm -- Bhagawan’s Maha Samadhi Darshan
Note. There could be a slight change in the schedule during festival days due to special programs in the Mandir.
For schedule of Veda Chanting in Mandir, go here
You may read about the Obsequies of Sathya Sai Baba here
Visiting Prashanthi Nilayam
You are advised to watch media reports about visiting Prashanti Nilayam ashram for the days 25,26, and 27 April of 2010. Foreigners are being admitted into Prashanti Nilayam Ashram and to hotels in Prashanti Nilayam township.
A full list of accomodations is available here
Accommodation in Prashanthi Nilyam Ashram
View of Gopuram Gate, Prashanti Nilayam
Ashram 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 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.
ALL 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.
Important Note for Overseas Devotees
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.
Visas
You must have a valid visa to enter India. A valid visa is only issued when you have return air tickets. Tourist visas are available from your Indian Consulate for a moderate cost. The Indian Consulate checks eligibility and it takes time, so it is best to allow between 7 to 10 working days in ANY country for visas. If you are resident of Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or Luxembourg, you should contact the nearest Indian Consulate and verify your eligibility for Visa on Arrival. This is a trial program and is for single entry, 30 day validity.
Air Travel and Health
See your doctor about your health needs. You will most likely need to attend to mosquitos (so consider anti malarial tablets). Most "roll ons" work well with the mosquitos. You would be well advised to discuss Hepatitis and Tetanus with your doctor.
Eat only in clean, recommended places. This means, eat in the Ashram Canteens. Prashanti Nilayam and Brindavanam Ashrams both have canteens dedicated to both Indian and Western food. This is pure, clean, nourishing vegetarian food. Do not drink anything that is not in a sealed bottle, or sealed can. Tap water is for washing the body and clothes only, it does not go into your mouth. Not if you are a foreigner. To rinse your mouth after brushing teeth use your bottled water. Do not travel without a bottle of water by your side. These are cheap and an absolute necessity. Refill bottles only at the water stations in the ashrams, and throw the bottle away after about three or four refills, bacteria will form naturally in any bottle after a period of time.
If you have cracked heels or toes, take precaution and begin a treatment before leaving to seal those cracks up. You will spend quite some time in bare feet in the ashrams, and its always better to have healthy feet.
Clothing
India's climate is warm. Fly in loose comfortable clothing and take a walk around the aircraft after meals and at two or three times to keep the thrombosis at bay.
Prevent Jet Lag. British Airways now offer advice about prevention of jet-lag prior to flying. By answering a few simple questions regarding your recent or planned flights, they can advise you on the best things to do to minimise your jet lag. Visit the British Airways Jet-Lag Advisor page. (opens in a new window)
On arrival at India, have light, cotton clothing to wear. Light shoes or sandals. You can obtain clothes for a very good price both in the ashram and outside the ashram. Thick winter pyjamas are not needed, only light sleepwear. It is better to buy clothing when you arrive in India (as it costs so much less), or ask another devotee to loan you clothes to get you to your first darshan; after that, you can purchase your own and return the loaned clothes. Clothing is available in both ashrams (Puttaparthi has a four story supermarket!) and from the clothing stores outside the ashrams.
Money
If you change money in India, you will receive what is called an Encashment Certificate. To get one of these, you change money at the airport, and produce your passport. When you leave the country, and you want to change the Indian Rupees back to your own currency, you need an encashment certificate to change that money back. You will most likely receive encashment certificates from any forex (foreign exchange) dealer you attend.
A simpler solution is to obtain some rupees before you arrive in India. You can also use ATM's in India and use your credit card in most banks.
- 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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