The Abode of Highest Peace

Prasanthi Nilayam means 'the abode of highest peace'. It is the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, located near the village of Puttaparthi amidst rolling hills, with the river Chitravathi to its east. The valley houses the divine sannidhi (sanctum) of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Sai Kulwant Hall, bhajan mandir, residential complexes, the headquarters of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, its allied institutions.

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.

Click below for a virtual tour of places of interest in and around Prasanthi Nilayam.

Sai Kulwant Hall

Baba's guidelines for ashram visitors

Sri Sathya Sai Baba delivered a divine discourse on 25th January 1963, to the residents of Prasanthi Nilayam during which He emphasised on how to make the best out of one's stay in Prasanthi Nilayam. The excerpts presented below is an english translation of the Telugu discourse.

"In this Prasanthi Nilayam, certain limits are laid down, certain modes of spending time usefully are recommended by Me. All who come here, whether long-time residents or new arrivals, have to observe them. ...

You have seen Me, stayed here, and heard these discourses. Let Me ask what is the gain? Are you going back unchanged, unaffected? You must pull yourselves up into the purer air of spiritual life, draw yourselves away from slums and by-lanes, and travel on the highway to God. Dwell always on the glory of God; then, you will shine in that glory. Adhere to truth, that is the surest means of removing fear from your heart. Love (Prema) can grow only in the heart watered by truth.

I notice that while your feet are taking you round by force of habit, your tongues blabber about the faults of others, or the price of vegetables, or the dishes you propose to cook for lunch. Before you start on your rounds, which you call Pradakshina, give your mind as dakshina (thanksgiving offering) to the Resident of the temple, the Lord. That is the first thing to do, and perhaps the only thing to do. Making the rounds is not to be taken as prescribed, for loosening the limbs or giving them some exercise.

This Nilayam should not be treated with scant reverence. Make the best use of your stay here. Do not treat this chance lightly. You come spending much money and put yourselves to much trouble to reach here, but you do not bloom as fragrant offerings at the Lord’s feet by learning the spiritual path. The senses have to be curbed into obedient servants of the spirit. For example, I insist on silence. Talk less, and talk low when you must talk.

Do not thrust your sorrows, your needs, your problems into the ears of those who have come here with their own bundle of such things. They are not interested in adding to their troubles. I am here to listen to you, to console you. Do not by loudness of voice disturb those who are meditating or reading or writing the name of God. All ills are traceable to faulty living.

Meditate if possible, by yourselves, alone; read spiritual books if you can; write the name of the Lord in the quiet of your corner. If you cannot do these, at least do not disturb others who are doing these. Encourage one another to march along the path to God.

Become entitled to the honoured title of devotee. My glory is spread daily through those who call themselves My devotees. Your virtue, your self-control, your detachment, your faith, your steadfastness — these are the signs by which people read of My glory. Not that I want any such prop. But it just happens so, in this world, where people estimate others indirectly rather than directly. Let Me tell you, such devotees are very rare. That is the why I do not address your gathering as, “Dear devotees!” You can lay claim to that title only when you have placed yourself in My hands, fully, completely, with no trace of ego kept back to cater to your vanity."

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Sri Sathya Sai Baba has laid down the daily schedule to be followed in the Ashram. Every activity of the Ashram routine is suffused with deep spiritual significance.

See the table below for the Ashram schedule:

Activities

  • Aumkar, Meditation and Suprabhatham

    5.10 a.m.

  • Veda Chanting and Nagar Sankeertan (Circumambulating the Mandir)

    5.40 a.m.

  • Pooja inside the Bhajan Hall (Entry for Devotees will start at 06.25 a.m.)

    6.30 a.m. - 07.30 a.m.

  • Veda Chanting

    8.00 a.m. - 9.00 a.m.

  • Bhajans

    9.00 a.m. - 9.30 a.m.

  • Darshan of Baba’s Mahasamadhi and Prayer Hall

    9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.

  • Veda Chanting

    4.30 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.

  • Bhajans

    5.15 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.

  • Darshan of Baba’s Mahasamadhi

    6.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.

  • Meditation in Prayer Hall

    6.00 p.m. - 6.20 p.m

Extension of Darshan timings: In response to requests by devotees, an additional time slot has been introduced on Sundays to facilitate Darshan of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Sannidhi. Starting from September 7, 2014 (Onam Day), on all Sundays, devotees will be allowed to have Darshan of Baba’s Sannidhi from 4.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m, in addition to the current Darshan Timings after Bhajans.

Late Evening Aarti: To bring the Sannidhi Darshan to a ceremonial close and enhance the spiritual experience for the devotees, an Aarti is offered at Baba’s Sannidhi on all days towards the close of evening Darshan, since September 4, 2014 onwards. This is in addition to the Aarti offered after evening Bhajans. Devotees will not be permitted to approach the Sannidhi after the last Aarti for the day.

Aumkar:

Aumkar is the chanting of ‘Aum’, the primordial sound, also called the ‘Pranava’. The vibrations that emanate from chanting ‘Aum’ have the potency to purify the inner personality of an individual as well as the surrounding environment. That is why the day at Prasanthi Nilayam begins with the chanting of 21 Aumkars.

Suprabhatham:

‘Su’ signifies good, auspicious and ‘Prabhath’ means morning. ‘Suprabhatham’ refers to the morning prayers that are chanted in praise of the Lord to awaken the divinity present within each individual. It is the act of dedicating oneself to the Lord and praying for His blessings right at the start of a new day.

Veda Chanting:

Vedas are ancient spiritual scriptures revealed to great sages and seers while in communion with God. Chanting or listening to these hymns confers spiritual as well as physical benefits. That is why Baba gives a lot of importance to Vedas and encourages everybody to chant these hymns and understand their meaning. The students of Baba chant these hymns in the early hours of the morning while circumambulating the mandir complex, and also during Darshan hours in the morning and afternoon sessions in the mandir.

Nagar Sankeertan:

‘Nagar’ means city or locality and ‘Sankeertan’ means devotional singing. After Suprabhatam, devotees circumambulate the mandir complex while singing devotional songs and clapping their hands keeping beat. It charges the atmosphere with holy vibrations and one begins the day with the name of the Lord on one’s lips.

Bhajans:

Bhajans means “Singing aloud the glory of God”. Bhajans in the divine presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba are unique as they are universal in their scope and appeal and emphasise the unity of faiths.

Arati:

‘Arati’ is the ritual of waving lighted camphor to the deity to mark the culmination of worship. During Arati, devotees sing a devotional song in praise of the Lord and end with a prayer for universal peace.

  1. Decorum
    Men and women are not expected to socialize and visit each other’s rooms to indulge in idle talk or gossip inside the ashram. Indian customs and social behaviour are commonly observed inside the Ashram premises. Any public display of affection is out of place. Putting hands around each others’ shoulders or holding hands while walking about is discouraged.
  2. Silence
    Kindly observe silence, and when it is necessary to speak, please speak softly. Do not play your music loudly. Please do not socialize or talk / laugh loudly in public areas (especially at Ganesha or other temples within the Ashram) and be a nuisance and disturbance to others. Do not shout loudly to call someone at a distance and talk loudly on your phone while walking around the Ashram. Lights-out time in the Ashram is 9.30 p.m., after which devotees are not encouraged to move about inside or outside the Ashram. The Ashram gates are also closed at 9.30 p.m.
  3. Mobile Phone Manners
    Mobile phones are not permitted inside Sai Kulwant Hall. However, while using them in the Ashram premises, kindly do not play any music or watch videos loudly from your mobile phones. Use your headphones. Keep your ringtone on silent or at a lower volume. Kindly do not talk loudly on your phone and be a disturbance to other devotees and trivialize the divine atmosphere of the Ashram.
  4. Strictly Prohibited
    The consumption or possession of tobacco / tobacco products, drugs, alcoholic drinks and non-vegetarian food, including eggs, is strictly prohibited. Gambling inside the premises is strictly forbidden.
  5. Feeding Dogs / Animals
    Feeding of dogs inside the Ashram premises is highly discouraged.
  6. Children
    Please be responsible for the discipline of your children in the Ashram. Please ensure that they do not disturb the silence of Sai Kulwant Hall or disturb other devotees in any way. Please be responsible for their manners in the Ashram.
  7. Dress Code
    Modest, Clean & Sober dressing encouraged - as befits a place of worship. Shorts, Half-lungis, Sleeveless Shirts or Salwars, Above ankle-length dressing or tight fitted and transparent clothing is not allowed.
  8. Cleanliness
    God walked this Ashram, so please lets keep it clean. 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. It will be your contribution to the Ashram!
  9. Cameras
    Use of Cell Phones and Cameras is as per prevailing Ashram rules (Not allowed inside Sai Kulwant Hall).
  10. Accommodation
    If using ashram accommodation, please ensure that all dues are settled, room keys are dropped at accommodation office and the premises are left neat & clean while leaving.
  11. Car Parking
    Please abide by the Ashram Guidelines while Parking your car or two-wheeler. Honking within the ashram Premises is not allowed.
  1. Devotees are expected to dress modestly, in clean and sober clothing, as befits a place of worship. Generally, people in the Ashram dress in whites.
  2. Wearing of shorts or sleeveless shirts is strictly prohibited. Women are required to dress to their ankles. Tight-fitting or diaphanous dresses are not permitted.
  3. Unorthodox hairstyles, over-matted hair, tall set hair etc. or large obtrusive hats are highly discouraged.

A safe deposit locker is made available to overseas devotees at North-8, A-10 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for storing valuables during their stay in the ashram.

Self-Professed Intermediaries
  • Devotees are requested to be on their guard against strangers or newfound friends who claim association with Sri Sathya Sai Baba or claim to have inner or special messages from Baba. They are all spurious people.
  • Devotees are also requested to exercise utmost caution in visiting quacks, ‘healers with special powers’ supposedly delegated by Baba or spurious people parading as agents of ‘holistic’ or Indian therapies.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly made it clear in His discourses that He has no agents, no intermediaries, whatsoever. His connection with the devotees is direct and heart to heart.
Unauthorized Trusts / Bodies

No institution or individual other than the following are authorised to receive any donation inside the Ashram on any account:

  • Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
  • Sri Sathya Sai Institue of Higher Learning
  • Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust
  • Sri Sathya Sai Eswaramma Women’s Welfare Trust

Devotees are requested to note that the Trust does not solicit any donation through intermediaries or agents. Individuals, trusts and other bodies soliciting donations on behalf of Sri Sathya Sai Baba or the above-mentioned trusts are doing so illegally. Individuals or Institutions making donations to such unauthorised bodies are doing so at their own risk, and the above-mentioned trusts are not responsible for their acts.

Devotees are also required to beware of touts who collect money inside the ashram for any of the ashram services. Devotees are not required to pay to anyone inside the Ashram except for services like accommodation, food, etc. at the respective offices and canteens.

Official logo and trademark

The Government of India has amended the schedule to the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950 to include the following as protected names and emblems under the said Act:

  1. Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
  2. The following emblems
  3. Sri Sathya Sai

In view of the above, no person shall use or continue to use for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession or any patent, trademark or design the aforementioned protected names / emblems or any colourable imitation thereof without the previous written permission of the Central Government. Any person who contravenes the above is liable to be proceeded against and punished under the provisions of the law.

Any person who is using the aforementioned names and emblem in contravention of the provisions of the Act is hereby notified and required to cease and desist from using the said names/emblems with effect from: 22nd July 2004.

Items NOT permitted inside Sai Kulwant Hall

Mobile Phones

Cameras

Calculators and Electronic Items

Alarm Clocks & Torches

Footwear

Musical Instruments

Umbrellas

Binoculars

Cosmetics & Sprays

Firearms & Sharp Objects

Cigarettes, Drugs, Paan Masala & Lighters

Candles Matches & Incense

Big Bags & Hand Bags

MP3 Players & Tablets

Puja Materials & Coconuts/Oil

Food, Alcohol & Soft Drinks

Tetra Packs & Flasks

Open Cushion Covers

Metal Chairs

Pen drives, Cassettes, CDs

Non-spiritual / Non-study Books

Battery operated Toys

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