Puttaparthi is a small town in the Anantpur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba. It is well connected by road, train and air. We went to Puttaparthi on the occasion of Satya Sai birth day celebrations.     How to reach Puttaparthi:   Bangalore is the nearest city and Dharmavaram is the nearest town.         Road:    - Buses are available from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Tirupati, Vijayawada and Ongole.         Train:- Train services are available from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Vijayawada. All trains have halt at Dharmavaram and some trains halt at prasanthi nilayalam railway station.         Air:    - From Hyderabad and Bangalore (Nearest).           Our mode of journey:  I along with my family members boarded the bus from Ongole at 4:30 PM (IST) on November 22, 2006. The bus reached Puttaparthi at 7:00 AM (IST) on November 23.      Bus route:         Ongole- Markapur, Nandyal, Tadipatri, Dharmavaram and Prasanthi Nilayam.           Accommodation:       Accommodation facility is available on the right side of the main gate. Prices are very low for accommodation and meals.      After bathing, we went to Kushwant hall at 10-30 AM, going through que which is more than 1 km. At that time, Satya Sai was making speech on spiritual matters. Indian president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam sat on the floor in front of Swamiji. The programme was over by 2 PM.       Note:It is better to enter the Kushwant hall before 8 AM.      November 24:    We went inside the hall around 8 AM. Usually Satya Sai comes to the hall 9AM and be there up to 10-11 AM. Sai did not come on that day due to other engagements. We were disappointed.      Evening:We went in to Kushwant hall at 2 PM. Swami came around 4 PM in a small car. The vehicle speed was 1-2 km. Around 15 musicians from different western countries gave musical performance.           Other places worth to be seen in Puttaparthi:       1. Satya Sai Baba birth place:The house was now converted in to Lord Siva temple.  2. Karanam Subbamma House:  This house is next to Swamiji birth place. When Satya Sai is around 14 year old, he paid last visit to this house and took leave from the parents and made his abode in a near by farm house.  At that time, K.Subbamma, the wife of village officer took after his food arrangements.  3. Kalpa Vriksham:It is a tamarind tree on a hill. We climbed 170 foot steps to reach the tree. Satya Sai used to go to that tree and asked his friends, what they want i.e. Apples, oranges and other fruits.  4. Chaithanya Jyothi: Must visit place in Puttaparthi. It is a spiritual museum with videos, images and stories about Hiduism, Christianity and other religions. It is the best of this kind in the world.5. Gokulam:6. Elephant:Name of the elephant is Sai Jyothi. Satya Sai loves this elephant very much. It always goes to airport when ever Sai leaves Puttaparthi. We returned on the next day by bus. It is an unforgettable spiritual tour.     … [Read more...]