Visiting Sai Baba at
Prashanti Nilayam - Puttaparthi

Sai Kulwant Hall

This page last updated:
7 February 2010

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.

Here we will give you an overview of visiting Sai Baba, and some important information on how to reach Prashanti Nilayam, accommodation information. The Ashram itself and its facilities and offerings are covered fully on the Ashram Facilities Page.

Puttaparthi is located in South India, in the state of Andhra Pradhesh. The ashram is approximately three hours drive from Bangalore.

View of Gopuram Gate, Prashanti Nilayam

Travel to Puttaparthi

Air

International flights land in either Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras) or Bangalore.

AIRLINE SERVICES TO PUTTAPARTHI

Domestic

As at 30 December 2007, no domestic airlines have offered services to Puttaparthi for 24 months. The Sathya Sai Airport is closed.

Nearest Airport: Bengaluru (Bangalore) (BLR)

New Bangalore Airport

For International Travellers, a new airport opened on 11 May 2008. This airport is located at Muddenahalli, which is approximately 35 kilometres from Bangalore. The Main access to Bangalore will be National Highway 7, otherwise known as NH7. The airport is approximately 35 minutes from Whitefield Ashram, and 3 hours travel time to Prashanthi Nilayam. The exit from the airport is a direct route to the ashram. See images of the new airport

Most international flights arrive late at night. There is the option of going to accommodation first at Whitefield for the evening, then travel to Puttaparthi. Accommodation in Whitefield either Sai Renaissance Hotel or Sri Ranga Complex. See our Whitefield page for more information. Taxi charge for airport collect to Whitefield accn is Rs 900

National Highway 7 (NH7) is in process of being converted to divided highway, Bangalore-Hyderabad. Much construction is taking place Dec2008-Jan 2009

Rail

Prashanti Nilayam Railway Station

Trains ply regularly between Bangalore City and Prashanti Nilayam. The railway station, with four platforms, is called Sri Sathya Sai Prashanti Nilayam, (Acronym SSPN) and is host to as many as 18 trains per day in each direction. There is a DIRECT BUS, "TRAIN LINK", some 6 kilometers away. The direct bus goes straight into the ashram, and drops passengers at the Accommodation Office. During festival times, additional services to Prashanti Nilayam station are added. You can check out the Southern Railway website for further information.

Sathya Sai Prashanti Nilayam Railway Station Booking Counter: 91-8555-287355


Prashanti Nilayam Train-Link Bus

Current Train timings (as at August 2005) for Prashanti Nilayam Railway Station may be found here (opens in new window).

Bus

Sri Sathya Sai Prema Kutir, Home for the Aged,
as seen on the road to Puttaparthi

Deluxe Buses, Andhra Pradhe RTC and Karnakata RTC Buses ply daily from Bangalore to Puttaparthi. There is also a daily bus Prashanti Nilayam-Brindavan. This departs at 1pm outside the entrance to Whitefield Ashram, which goes to and from Puttaparthi. Bus station number and booking desk phone available on the Utility page

There is a Chennai - Puttaparthi bus service; overnight. In Chennai, the Puttaparthi bus leaves from the Andra Pradesh RTC Bus Station. This is a separate bus station some kilometers away from the Chennai Main Bus Station. Fare is reasonable, but take your own drink and food; the hotels at the bus stops are not much to speak of.

Taxi

Prashanti Nilayam is only 110 kilometers from the new Airport. It is recommended to travel direct to Prashanti Nilayam, as the highway will soon be divided road - two lanes each side.

The following taxi operators have been taking Sai Baba devotees to and from the Ashram for many many years and have been used by us:

GLOBAL SERVICES

Global Service has seven taxis, small, medium and large.
All drivers have over 15 years experience
Cars maintained in showroom condition.
Drivers will drive direct to Prashanti Nilayam
and only stop if directed by passengers.
Highly recommended

Contact Details
---------------
Post Bag# 9
Samadhi Road, Prashanti Nilayam. 515134
Tel/Fax +91 08555 286322
Tel +91 08555 289790
Cell (91) 98483 31191
Cell (91) 94400 93497
email saivenue [at] yahoo [dot] com
email saiserve [at] yahoo [dot] com
Small car (Indica) Airport-Puttaparthi 1300 non-ac
Small car (Indica) Airport-Puttaparthi 1600 non-ac 
Large car (Indigo) Airport-Puttaparthi 1600 non-ac
(A/C is Rs 200 extra on small cars)
SVU (Scorpio - 6 seater) Airport-Puttaparthi 2500 A/C
Van (Innova - 6 seater) Airport-Puttaparthi 3000 A/C

Prince Carriers

Proprietor : Rusi Billimoria
Address: 209, Garden of Allah
Whitefield Main Road
Bangalore 560 066
Telephone: Landline: 91 80 2845 3131 or 91 80 2845 7436
Mobile: 91 98452 17884 or 91 98205 43027 or 91 97411 25636
Email: rusidinu [at-symbol] gmail.com or rusdin [at-symbol] vsnl.com

Transport Charges:
Airport to Whitefield: Rs. 900/-
Airport to Puttaparthy:Rs. 1600 (non AC) Rs. 1900/- (AC)
Six Seater Innova:
Airport to Whitefield: Rs. 1500/-
Airport to Puttaparthy: Rs. 3200/-

Prince Carriers have a TRAVEL DESK in Hotel Sai Renaissance in Whitefield as well as Hotel Sai Renaissance in Puttaparthi.

Noor Khan Taxi Services and Sight Seeing Tours

Has been taking devotees to Puttaparthi for over 15 years.
 Contact for availability and fares 
Taxi fare is Rs.1400/- for a Non A/C Indigo 
premium taxi from Bangalore Airport to Puttaparthy 
and for a A/C Indigo premium taxi Rs.1600/- .
Bangalore Phone 91-9845250603 and 91-9880821525
email noorkhan1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Rudy Muller Tours and Travel

Rudy and his drivers are well known to many devotees and have
been driving devotees for more than 15 years.
Contact for availability and fares
Landline : 00-91-80-28453657
Mobile : 00-91-98456-83885
Email : rmuller[at-symbol]rediffmail.com 
Bangalore airport to Hotel (Whitefield)  Rs. 900/-
Bangalore airport to Puttaparathi Rs. 1,600/- non a/c Rs. 1,800/- a/c
 

Accommodation

Ashram Accommodation

Devotees resident outside India, seeking accommodation inside the Ashram at Prasanthi Nilayam, need to produce their passport [photocopy of relevant pages will not be accepted] at the overseas accommodation office located in block N8.

Devotees travelling to Prasanthi Nilayam are requested to note that the accommodation office will function daily from 6 am to 8 pm.

Devotees requiring accommodation in the ashram are therefore requested to plan their travel so that they are in the accommodation office between these hours.

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 21 years, travelling alone, will be refused accommodation in the ashram. Persons under the age of 21 should be travelling in groups or with family. Note that this discretionary rule may soon be raised to under the age of 25.

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. 75-100 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

Sri Sathya Sai Towers Hotel

Sai Towers Hotel
(in the main street, opposite ashra), with Handicrafts, Bookshop, two resturants, South Indian, Western); Foreign Exchange; three taxis available

Single Non AC      Rs 485
Single Deluxe Non  Rs 825
Single AC          Rs 1225
Double Non AC      Rs 1500
Double Deluxe      Rs 1900
Sai Towers Suite   Rs 2400
Sai Family Suite   Rs 4725
Extra Person       Rs  400

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       900 
Double Room A/C   1350
Phone +91 08555-287591, 287592,
FAX +91 08555 287324
email info@sairenaissance.com

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

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 Sri Sai Sadan

Hotel Sri Sai Sadan
[MEDA'S Guest House]
Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi,
email srisaisadan [at] yahoo [dot] com

SBI - Gopuram Road, Puttaparthi
Single Room - Rs 300
Double Room - Rs 500
Aircond double - Rs 700
Family Suites available
Vegetarian Resturant

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 Prashanti Nilayam can be found on our Utilities page.