SAI BABA ASHRAM INFORMATION

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PUTTAPARTHI ASHRAM


      
Sai Baba's 'travel-schedule'



January Puttaparthi -February Puttaparthi / Whitefield. Swami usually leaves for Whitefield after Shivaratri Celebrations. March Whitefield. April Whitefield / Kodai. Swami leaves for Kodai around April 5th. Sometimes He reschedule it until late April, and then stays until early May, after Easwaramba day. May Whitefield  Sometimes, Swami goes to Bombay to celebrate the inaguration of the Dharmashektra on May 11-13. June Whitefield / Puttaparthi, Swami returns to Puttaparthi in mid-June. July Puttaparthi August Puttaparthi September Puttaparthi October Puttaparthi November Puttaparthi December Puttaparthi.[/color][/font][/size][/b]


Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Some festivals usually observed at Prasanthi Nilayam are noted below. usually a discourse is given by Swami..

Makara Sankranti (January)
This festival is dedicated to the Sun God

Vaikunth Ekadashi (January)

Maha Sivarathri (February)

Yugadi or Ugadi (March)
This festival marks the New Year, according to the Indian lunar calendar.

Sree Ram Navami (March)
This festival marks the birthday of Lord Rama,

Guru Purnima (July)
This festival dedicated to the Guru,
 

Janmashtami (September)
This festival marks the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Onam (September)


Navarathri or Dassara (October)
This nine-day festival is dedicated to the Goddess of Energy (Shakti)

Deepavali (November)
This festival of lights

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Birthday
(23rd November).

Christmas (25th December
.




Daily Talks by Staff

Talks on Spiritual disciplines are delivered  daily, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Punjabi canteen, on top floor. Kindly check the display board at ashram for further information on speaker of the day.

Registration Procedures

The Public Relation's Office is located at North 7, A 26. General inquiries as regards ashram schedules and services can be made from the Public Relations Office. Accommodation procedures are simple and quick. Note: all foreign nationals require a valid passport for registration. After the routine registration and a nominal fee, accommodation is offered in a room or residence hall. One can choose to share rooms with two, or up to four, persons. Opening Hours 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Daily, including weekends
Orientation Talks for  the new visitors is given every day at 8:00 a.m. for one hour in the Punjabi Canteen, top floor. Obligatory information regarding codes of conduct at the ashram etc is explained at the talk.

Magazine

Sanathana Sarathi is the monthly magazine published by the Ashram in English and Telugu.

 
Subscriptions can be made for countries outside India, or within India. Subscriptions must be paid in cash, Indian Rupees, or per Money Order or Demand Drafts which are issued by the Bank. All payments should be made payable to:
The Convenor
Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
Sanathana Sarathi
Prasanthi Nilayam
Andhra Pradesh—515134
INDIA


Books

Books on Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his discourses and writings, as well as books written by devotees and staff members are available at  Book Shop also one can buy Bhajan and  Audio discourse CD's, audiocassettes VCD's of old and latest Swami discourses and rare film footage

Location   
Prasanthi Nilayam is located in Puttaparthi, Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 80 Kms from Ananthapur town and 120 kms from Bangalore.

Climate :

The climate is warm & dry almost throughout the year. Light rainfall occurs during the months of June - August and October - December. Climate is pleasant during December - January.

Chaitanya Jyothi
A museum on the Mission and Message of Sathya Sai Avtar was constructed to commemorate constructed to commemorate Bhagwan's 75th Birthday. On display are many exhibits about the life and Mission of Bhagwan arranged at 8 levels. The architecture represents a fusion of different cultures and architectural forms like Chinese roof, Gothic arches and Moorish domes.

Siva Mandir
The birth place of Bhagwan Baba is now adorned by a Shiva Temple sanctified by Bhagwan in 1979. Puja is performed here everyday at dawn and dusk. Legends of his birth and childhood leclas can be visualised here.

Village Temples
As you go into the village you can see the Gopal Swami Temple (Krishna as cowherd), Hanuman Temple and a small temple of Satyabhama (consort of Krishna). There is also an old Mandir which is now used as a wedding hall.

Mosque
For the convenience of the local mnsinn population Bhagwan had a mosque and a hall constructed and opened in 197K. Prayers are conducted regularly.
 

Kalyana Mantapa
 

Anjaneya Swami Temple
 

'Wishfulfilling' Tree
 

Chitravathi River
 

Parents Samadhi
 

Sai Gita—The Elephant
 

Sathya Sai Nagar
 

Gokulam
 

Educational Institutes
 

S.S.S. Hillview Stadium
 

Planetarium
 

Super Specialty Hospital
 

S.S.S. Airport


Useful Telugu Phrases (Local    spoken language)

English    Telugu

Hi or Hello    Namaskaaram

Please    Please

Thank You    Dhanyavaadaalu

Yes    Awnu

Where can I find    Idi ekkada dorukunu

I want water    Naaku neellu kaavaali

I want a ticket    Naaku ticket kaavali

Where is the toilet    Bathroom ekkada

I am from Australia    Nenu Australia nunchi vachchanu

Are you open tomorrow    Repu therchuntundha?

Is this very far    Tsaala doorama?

How much is this Idi enta?    Deeni dhara enta?

This is too expensive    Idi tsaala ekkuva dhara

Make this price less    Thaggitsandi

How are you?    Ela unnaaru?

Sorry    Khamintsandi

Please    daya chesi

Ok    sarey

What?    Emi

Where    Ekkada?

How?    Ela? Etla?

When?    Eppudu?

Who?    Evaru?

Why?    yenduku

What is the price?    Idheeni Dhara entha?

I don't understand    naku artham kavatam ledu

Tell me the way please    Daya chesi dova tsoopisthaaraa

What is your name?    Mee peru enti?

My name is    Naa peru ..

Right    Kudipakka

Left    Yendampakka
 
One    Okati

Two    Rendu

Three     Moodu

Four    Naalugu

Five    Aeedhu

Six    Aaru

Seven    Yedu

Eight    Enimidhi

Nine    Tommidhi

Ten    Padhi

One hundred    Nooru/ Vandha

Two hundred    rendu vandhalu


 

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WHITE FIELD ASHRAM

DAILY PROGRAM

Kadugodi, Whitefield
Following timings may be subject to slight changes
5:00am Nagasankirtan (On Thursdays, Sundays and every festival day) Sai Ramesh Hall, in
procession through the village
ca: 7:45a.m. Bhagavan's darshan at Sai Ramesh Hall
Morning Bhajans: On Thursdays only
Full day Bhajans: On Sundays only
10:00am Lectures by staff at Sai Ramesh Hall (speakers announced daily on the display board by the main gate)
ca: 4:30pm Bhajans and Aarathi at Sai Ramesh Hall
9:00pm All lights off in rooms..

Ashram facilities

Brindavan Ashram of Sai Baba has limited accommodation facilities. Most devotees put up in one of the small hotels or rooms in private guesthouses near Ashram. However, housing block opposite Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall (on the ashram), Sri Sathya Sai Gokulam complex, within walking distance down & across the road plus campus guest house all provide accommodation at nominal rates though these facilities are booked right away when Sai Baba is in residence.

Kindly Note: Single people under the age of 25 (unless they come with a group or a family) are not entitled for accommodation in the Ashram. However, they may partake in all programmes viz.darshan, bhajans, use canteens, shops, etc. in addition, ashram provides no accommodations when Sai Baba is not in residence. Reservations in advance regarding one's accomadtion is not possible.

Food & books

A canteen situated in the Gokulam complex serves Indian style meals, and canteen located in the ashram caters western food assortment. A shopping store situated on the ashram is a good place to buy daily needs and the neighboring Sri Sathya Sai Book Centre provides books and other spiritual literature. Also a newly opened window-shop at the left side corner of the book store sells Swami Souvenirs of all kind.

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KODAIKANAL ASHRAM

DAILY PROGRAM





Kodaikanal
ca. 8.00 a.m. Darshan
ca. 4:00 p.m. Darshan/Bhajans
ca. 4:30 p.m. Talks Bhagavan's Discourse
ca. 6:00 p.m. Arathi
Talks by staff and daily discourses by Baba are often given in Kodaikanal after Bhagavan's second week in Kodai, in the bhajan hall.

KODAI KANAL INFORMATION

It is said that Prasanthi Nilayam is Swami’s office, Brindavan is His home and Kodaikanal is His playground. In a manner of speaking, this is so particularly where Kodaikanal is concerned, for it is here, that one gets a glimpse of the Sai of the Forties, especially where Divine Leelas are concerned. It all lasts only a few weeks, but what extraordinary weeks they are, for those blessed to enjoy Divine intimacy then!

Kodaikanal is a hill station in South India about four hundred and odd kilometers south east of Bangalore and near the Temple Cities of Madurai and Palani. In former years, every summer Swami used to take a few selected students with Him to Kodai.


Kodaikanal is a famous hilltop resort  some pictures of the nature around Kodaikanal that usually has rain ten months of the year. This is Kodaikanal Infocalled off-season. Season is generally April-June, and that's when most tourists visit. Kodaikanal is a lovely place, free of dust and mosquitos, and has plenty of tourists attractions, like the restaurant called Buddha's Belly!

Here we will give you an overview of visiting Sai Baba, and some important information to get you well prepared!


 Generally, Sai Baba can be found at the Puttaparthi Ashram. This is in South India, approximately three hours drive from Bangalore.

During the hot summer months in Puttaparthi, (Rayalseema area is one of the driest in South India) Sai Baba generally travels from Puttaparthi for Bangalore, where there is an ashram located T Whitefield, some 27 kilometers out of the city of Bangalore.

Occasionally, Sai Baba visits a small ashram called Sai Sruthi, located in the hill resort town of Kodaikanal, which is quite further south of Bangalore in the adjoining state of Tamil Nadu.



Travelling to Kodai   

The only direct way into Kodaikanal is by road. Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili (160-km), and Madurai(120-km). Additional buses ply during the season. Taxis and vans are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal, and taxi fares are set by local authority. All must pay to enter the National Park entrance, some kilometers out of Kodaikanal.

It is a hilltop town, and the roads narrow and winding. Those traveling for the first time, best not look down when looking out the window!!!

Planes fly to Madurai and Coimbatore. Then a two hour taxi journey.

By Rail...

The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km).

Luxury Buses ply between Bangalore Majestic and Kodaikanal. Bus travel takes approximately 12 hours.

Taxis from Whitefield to Kodai will cost between Rs 6000-8000 and you would be advised to share a taxi if you do this. Travel time to Kodaikanal would be approximately 10 hours.

It is never known in advance if Sathya Sai Baba will visit Kodaikanal in any year. Kodai is cool at night, oft times raining overnight, and generally mild, up to 23 degrees in the daytime. Fog, clouds and rain can be expected on any day at anytime.

 IF Sathya Sai Baba visits Kodaikanal, then the following are suggested:

umbrella, thin light jumper, thin winter clothes as you would wear in a sub-tropical winter, thin plastic Macintosh like that you can get in Woolworth's or Kmart for $5 to have in case of rain.

Kodaikanal is flat where Swami's house is, there is one driveway to walk up (steep), then flat sitting area for darshan. If you were to stay in town at the Hilltop Hotel, Carlton Hotel or around the corner from Swami's place at the Sterling Hotel, then it is largely flat walking to Swami's darshan. The remainder of Kodaikanal is hills, hills, hills and incredibly narrow roads. A taxi to darshan is the usual practice if staying in one of these other Hotels.

 
There are Western Hotels at Kodaikanal with charges somewhat similar to Hotels here in Australia. The top two are the Carleton and Sterling, standard Hilton Hotel type accommodation. Hilltop is very good and somewhat less, approx 750-1000 rupees per night.

There are many other hotels and guesthouses available in Kodaikanal. Many devotees group together and hire a guesthouse.

Darshan is in the mornings; you can walk from the township, around the lake to the darshan queue, which is on Lake Road itself. Men line up on the footpath adjacent to the lake, Ladies line up on the other side of the gate, on the grassy side of the road. Ladies often sit in chairs by the roadside. Of late, seva dal have stalls either side of the gate, and as you pass, you put your shoes in and receive a chit.

There are only 4 lines each side at Kodai, and numbers are in fact given out. Men on cycles or young boys with hot canteens walk up and down the lines selling small plastic cups of tea. You can expect to stand in line up to about 8AM or thereabouts when the gates are opened and the lines called in. Lines generally begin to be formed around 6AM, and there is either silence of jollity in the lines ...


Like Puttaparthi and Brindavan, there is a small security check as you pass the gate; thereafter, it is a dash or a sedate walk up the STEEP driveway, to the darshan shelters. Men to the left of the front of the house, ladies to the right, guests along the far right wall. Men must pass in front of the ladies to reach their allocated darshan area.

There are chairs for those who need. Darshan is a small affair under a simple canopy, and ladies also sit in an island in front of the garden.

Unlike Puttaparthi or Whitefield, all remain inside the compound, seated for darshan until its full completion. If individuals or groups are called for interview, all remain seated. By this time, pullovers, shawls and all the extra coverings are removed as the sun is out and quite warm. When Interviews are complete, Baba emerges, and goes inside the main building; thereafter, darshan is over. Sometimes prasad is distributed during darshan.

After morning darshan, Swami sometimes goes for a drive around Kodaikanal and environs; perhaps a leisurely drive, perhaps a visit to an orphanage, or to a home, or to another venerable place. Sometimes, to a picnic! One can often see a procession of cars leaving Sai Sruthi perhaps half an hour or an hour after darshan, with Swami's car in the middle. So if you wish, it is useful to come back after taking your breakfast and walk back down Lake Road, and by grace of Bhagavan, perhaps you will see Swami.

Afternoon Darshan commences with lines at approximately 2.30 or 3PM. As before, all line up around Lake Road. There is a small bhajan mandir on the top and right as you reach the top of the STEEP drive; if you see people going in, follow, for often there are spiritual talks, sometimes a divine discourse, or bhajans in that small mandir. For Afternoon Darshan, Swami may walk along the verandah of the residence, even if it is raining.

Hotels & Sites

Kodaikanal, popularly known as Kodai, is situated among the Palani Hills at 2133m from sea level. With its enchanting landscape, it is a trekker's delight and nature lover's paradise.

Kodaikanal is the only hill station setup by Americans in India. Later the British joined them. American missionaries established a school around 1845 for the education of European children. Today this Kodaikanal International School is one of the most prestigious private schools in India.

Unique to the Western Ghats and flowering once in every 12 years, the 'Kurinji' shrub is found in abundance in Kodai. The next blossoming will be in 2004. Kodai provides a soothing escape from the heat and haze of the plains. The best time to visit Kodai is April-June and Aug-Oct. The temperature ranges between 8oC to 20oC

Shembaganur Museum: The flora and Fauna Museum is devoted to the archeological remains and flora and fauna of the hills. The museum is maintained by the Sacred Heart College and has one of the best orchid collections in the country. The museum is six km from Kodai.

Silver Cascade: Located 8km from Kodai on the Kodai- Madurai Ghat road, this waterfall falls from a height of 180 feet. The fall is formed by the overflow of water from Kodai Lake. One can take a bath here if the water temperature is to one's liking.

Kurinji Andavar Temple: Three km from the lake stands Kurinji Andavar Temple, a small shrine dedicated to Lord Subramanya. You may stumble upon some kurinji shrubs those blossomed and defied the 12-year time schedule. From the temple one can have a great view of Palani and Vaigai Dam.

Coaker's Walk: The Walk is on the steep southern face of the Kodai ridge. It has a telescope house and an observatory. The view of the plains from Coaker's Walk is breath taking.

Kodai Lake: The star attraction of Kodaikanal is the star shaped Kodai Lake that is beautifully landscaped. Boats can be hired from the Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club. The tourist department also has rowboats and pedal boats. Sir Vere Hentry Levinge who was the collector of Madurai created the lake in 1863 and settled in Kodai after retirement.

Pillar Rock: Situated 7km from Kodai is the Pillar Rock, three boulders standing vertically to a height of 120m. The Pillar rock is full of caves and chasms, a delight for the adventure seeker.

Bryant Park: The part is located on the eastern side of the lake. Named after the British Officer, who landscaped and stocked it, the park has a large verity of flowering shrubs, hybrids and grafts. Flower shows are conducted here as part of Summer Festival during May.


1.    The Calton  * * * * *
Lake Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240056/240071
Fax: +(91) (4542) 241170
Email: carlton@krahejahospitality.com

2. Hotel Paradise Inn * * *
Paradise Compound, Laws Ghat Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 241075/241175
Fax: +(91) (4542) 241024
Email:

3. Hotel Kodai International * *
Post Box 33, 17/328 Laws Ghat Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 245190~93
Fax: +(91) (4542) 240753
Email: hki@vsnl.net

4. Glen Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Seven Road Jn., Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 41185
Fax: +(91) (4542) 40518
Email:

5. Hill Country Holiday Resorts India Ltd.
Attuvampati P.O., Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240949/45/63
Fax: +(91) (4542) 240947
Email:

6. Hilltop Towers Government Approved
Club Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240413/242253/242254
Fax: +(91) (4542) 240415
Email:

7. Hotel J's heritage Government Approved
P.T. Road, Near Seven Roads, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 241323/243730/245118
Fax: +(91) (4542) 240693
Email: jaherit_mdu@sancharnet.in

8. Hotel Jewel * * *
Seven Roads Junction, Kodaikanal 624 104
Tel: +(91) (4542) 241029/241185
Fax: +(91) (4542) 240518
Email:

9. Jai Devi Apartments
Ferm Hill Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240712
Fax:
Email:

10. Hotel Garden Manor
Lake Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240461/242176/240463
Fax: +(91) (4542) 242187
Email:

11. Hotel Taj Villa
11/19, Cokor's Walk, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 243556/240940
Fax: +(91) (4542) 243557
Email:

12. Panjab Hotel 
7/234-5, P T Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 241169/241169
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

13. Hotel Gurupriya 
17/328-3, Laws Ghat Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 244466/243026
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

14. Sterling Holidays Resort 
P.B No 44, Gymkhna Road, Lake View, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 242381/245086/240868
Fax: +(91) (4542) 241065
Email:

15. Sterling Resorts
75/76, attuvampatti, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 244447/244448
Fax:
Email:

16. Sterling Holiday Resort Valley View 
3/466, K A Koil Street, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 242380
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

17. The Green Mist
Chettiar Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 240760
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

18. Kodai Resort 
Noyce Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 242107/8
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

19. Woodlands Resorts 
70/17, Convent Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 242753/240774
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

20. Paradise Hill Resorts 
Observatory Road, Kodaikanal 624 101
Tel: +(91) (4542) 241433/5/6
Fax: +(91) (4542)
Email:

Food & Clothes

Reasonably priced Indian & Western Restaurants, health-food stores & cafes etc are in plenty. Freshly baked bread & other delights are also available in some coffee shops.

Expect cold during nights and early mornings though bright and warm by noon. It is recommended that you bring a raincoat for Kodai ( umbrellas are not allowed in darshan). Woollen cardigan or slipover is recommended & a  shawl for mornings and evenings. It may rain a lot so bring extra clothes along since it takes extra long for wash & dry.