The holy abode of Sathya Sai Baba is known as 'Prashanti Nilayam’, which literally means “the abode of peace". This ashram is a crowd puller through out the year and it symbolizes one among the best religious organizations in the world. Formally inaugurated in the year 1950, this Ashram houses educational institutions, stadiums museums, hospitals and all the modern facilities that suit to the wants of any of the devotees.
Samadhi Shrine is the cenotaph of Sai Baba’s parents, which is prettily situated at the Samadhi road, near to the Gopuram. This shrine reflects Baba’s deep love and affection towards his parents. Easwaramma Day, which is the death anniversary of Baba’s mother, which is observed as the annual festival of the shrine. Apart from this, bhajans and other prayers would also would be there. This festival is marked with Narayana Seva (community feeding). Special prayer meetings with Bhajans and Keerthans make this as an auspicious occasion.
Built in 1973, this large auditorium (60 metres by 40 metres) can seat well over 15,000 people. Situated behind the office block, this grand hall - somewhat baroque in its lushness - with its many domes and balconies is used for discourses, cultural events and conferences.
A banyan tree planted by Sai Baba in the serene premises of the Ashram is the meditation tree. It has gained much significance in the routine life of the inmates of the Ashram.
A thick metal plate placed at the root of the tree is said to be materialized by Sai Baba to enhance the brooding spirit among those who contemplate here. This area is characterised as a special zone for meditation, which overlooks the lovely ambiance of the Ashram. There are separate areas for women and men and the former are not allowed to ponder under the tree after sunset and before sunrise.
Located at the slope of Obuladevara Gutta’hill, the Wish Fulfilling tree is a grand sentinel point over the Chitravathi river.
The Kalpa Vriksha or wishing tree is a tamarind tree that Sri Sathya Sai Baba used to display his miraculous powers to his friends when he was a child. He would ask his friends to think of any fruit, in or out of season, and magically the same would appear hanging off the branches of the tamarind tree.
In the temple the carving of Hanuman appears to be standing inside a cave. There is a pool of water at the feet of Hanuman. It is believed that this pool of water represents the tears Hanuman sheds for his love for Lord Rama.
Sathya Sai Ashram houses a Dairy of its own, which supplies milk to all the institutions functioning under the Ashram. Milk for the Ashram also is come from this Diary, which is located at Vidyagiri. The diary is called Gokulam and it is famed for the quality of milk it produces. The entrance of Gokulam, holds the beautiful image of Sri Krishna. Long ago, Sai Baba himself did the artistic ‘fill-ins’ on Sri Krishna’s face.
The goddess, Gayatri, a manifestation of the goddess Durga, is worshipped in a small shrine in front of the Round Building No 4. The idol of this five-headed, ten-armed goddess of intelligence and wisdom was installed in October 1998 during the Paduka Mahotsava.
A small unobtrusive little Shiva temple marks Sathya Sai Baba's birthplace in the still charming village of Puttaparthi. It was inaugurated by Baba in 1979. Since he was born on Karthika Somvara (a day associated with Shiva worship), the shrine was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Flanked by two pretty shrines, Anjaneya temple at the Gopuram road presents a serene and sacred ambiance to the longing souls. The entrance of the temple is marked by a fabulous Siva Lingam, which is brought by Sai Baba from Kasim. Most alluring part of this fabulous shrine is its sanctum where the deity is placed as if engraved on a cavern. Since Hanuman is known for his devotion towards Rama, this temple depicts A pool of water at the foot of the Deity reflects Hanuman’s devotion to his master Lord Ram. Devotees believe that this water in the pool symbolizes hanuman’s tears.