Puttaparthi, once a sparsely populated village, has shot into national and international fame as the abode of Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba. The original name of Sai Baba is "Satyanarayana Raju". He was born on November
23, 1926 in Puttaparthi.
He started showing unusual talents and purity and compassion from an early
age. Baba's supernatural abilities caused some concern to his family, who
took him to Vedic doctors. After being pronounced to be possessed by the
divine rather than the diabolical, at the age of fourteen he announced that
he was the new incarnation of Sai Baba, a saint from Shirdi in Maharashtra
who died eight years before Satya was born. Number of devotees, from all
over the world flock to this small town every year to have a glimpse of the
Baba, and be touched by him.
His disciples have constructed the 'Prashanti Nilayam' an ashram, which
attracts large number of devotees throughout the year. Prasahanti Nilayam
means 'the abode of peace". The ashram was inaugurated in 1950. The
ashram is a huge complex with room for thousands, with canteens, shops, a
museum and library, and a vast assembly hall where Sai Baba gives 'darshan'
twice daily. A considerable number of devotees turn out for his birthday
celebrations in Puttaparthi, where he delivers a message to his devotees.