Prashanthi Nilayam
Prasanthi Nilayam means ‘the abode of highest peace’. It is the main ashram of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, located near the village of Puttaparthi amidst rolling hills, with River Chitravati to its east.
This valley houses the Divine Sannidhi (sanctum) of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the large Sai Kulwant Hall where prayer sessions are held every morning and evening, residential complexes as well as the headquarters of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and its allied institutions.
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba spent most of the year in Prasanthi Nilayam, and hence, this hallowed township is the destination for thousands of spiritual aspirants of varied cultures, faiths, races, languages and socio-economic strata from all over the world to behold His divine presence and experience His pure love.
Ashram Etiquette & Discipline
Decorum: Men and women are not expected to socialise and visit each other’s rooms to indulge in idle talk or gossip inside the ashram. Any public display of affection is out of place. Putting hands around each other’s shoulders or holding hands while walking about is discouraged.
Silence: Kindly observe silence, and when it is necessary to speak, please speak softly. Do not play your music, talk on the phone or socialise loudly in public areas, especially at Ganesha or other temples within the Ashram as to not trivialise the divine atmosphere of the Ashram. Lights-out time in the Ashram is 9.30 p.m., after which devotees are not encouraged to move about inside the Ashram. The Ashram gates are also closed
at 9.30 p.m.
Mobile Phones: Mobile phones and cameras are not permitted inside Sai Kulwant Hall. However, while using them in the Ashram premises, kindly use headphones and do not play any music or watch videos out loud. Keep your ringtone on silent or at a lower volume.
Prohibited: The consumption or possession of tobacco / tobacco products, drugs, alcoholic drinks and nonvegetarian food, including eggs, is strictly prohibited. Gambling inside the premises is strictly forbidden. Feeding dogs inside the Ashram premises is highly discouraged.
Children: Please be responsible for the discipline and behaviour of your children in the Ashram to ensure that they do not disturb the silence of Sai Kulwant Hall or disturb other devotees in any way.
Clothing: Modest and clean dressing is encouraged, as befits a place of worship. Shorts, Half-lungis, Sleeveless Shirts or Salwars, above ankle-length dressing, tight fitted and transparent clothing are not allowed.
Cleanliness: When using ashram accommodation, please ensure that the premises are left neat & clean while leaving. After using the public Toilets, keep them clean and tidy for everyone to use comfortably. Don’t litter the food stall areas and kindly use the dustbins provided.
Prohibited Items
Accommodation
Accommodation Office
Located adjacent to North -9 Block, and is open from 6:15am-8:00pm
The Ashram Maintenance Office
Located adjacent to the West-3 block on the southern end and maybe contacted for any electrical, water supply problems or any other complaints concerning the room or hall allotted within the ashram. Open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Prashanthi Attire
Services
Medical
General Hospital: located adjacent and south of the ashram premises. Facilities include: casualty/emergency which is open 24hrs, outpatients and free diagnosis and treatment in various specialties such as General Medicine and Dentistry. Outpatients is open from 8am1pm and 2pm-4pm.
Super Speciality Hospital: located 7kms from the Ashram. Offers specialty treatment in departments such as Cariology and Orthopaedics free of charge. Open from 8:30am-5pm every day except Sundays.
Banking
State Bank of India: located opposite the South Indian Canteen. Open Monday to Friday 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm, Saturdays and Sundays just 9am-12pm.
ATM: Canara Bank operates an ATM near the North Indian Canteen. Other banks such as ICICI Bank and Syndicate Bank have branches in Puttaparthi outside the ashram with ATM and Credit/Debit card facilities
Shopping
Shopping centre: located adjacent to South-6 block and provides the day-to-day needs such as stationery, clothing and grocery and travel goods. Open for ladies from 9:30am-12pm and for gentlemen 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Book Store: The Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust Publications Division is located behind South-6 and you can find on sale books, audio and video cassettes, CDs and DVDs etc. Open from 9:30am-12pm and 3pm-5pm
Wheelchairs
Can be obtained at North-8, A-10 between 8am and 8pm. Wheelchairs must be returned on the specified date.
Laundry
There are authorised personnel who collect the laundry outside the residential buildings after 7am every morning and clothes are returned usually within a day or two