Anantapur district is a part of Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh. Coordinates: 14°42′N 77°36′E.
Lepakshi, a village in Anantapur District famous for temple of Vijayanagara architectural style, Monolithic Lepakshi Nandi, and Hanging Pillar and Monolithic Naagalingam.
Puttaparthi in Anantapur is home to the Ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Puttaparthi has developed into a major tourist destination due to vast infrastructure created by the ashram he, known as Prasanthi Nilayam.
Sathya Narayana Raju was born to Meesaraganda Eashwaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaram in the village of Puttaparthi.
On 8 March 1940, while living with his elder brother Seshama Raju in Uravakonda,Sai Baba resided much of the time in his main ashram, Prashanthi Nilayam (Abode of Highest Peace), at Puttaparthi.
The main ashram in Puttaparthi is known as Prasanthi Nilayam. Prasanthi Nilayam means "the abode of highest peace", the name given to the ashram of Shri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi. In 1950, on his 25th birthday, the seer inaugurated this ashram. This heavenly abode comprises splendid temples, public relations desk, post office, canteen, bakery, kitchens, dining halls, guest houses, dormitories etc. It also houses a huge 'Darshan Hall', a place where Sri Sai Baba gave darshan to his devotees.
Apart from the main Ashram, other places of interest in Puttaparthi are-
· Chaitanya Jyoti Museum
· Sanathana Samskruti Museum
· The Sri Sathya Sai Space Theater, the Planetarium
· Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, a free of charge for all
· Sri Satya Sai Hill view stadium
· Shivalayam, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Birth Place
· Samadhi (Sepulcher) of Sri Satya Sai’s Parents
· Lord Dattatreya Temple
· Gopalaswami Temple
· Sathyabhama Temple also fondly called as Sathymma temple
· Hanuman Temple
· Vata Vriksha or Meditation Tree
· Kalpatharu, the Wish-Fulfilling Tree tamarind tree
· Sri Sathya Sai International Centre for Sports
· Sai Geetha Samadhi
Swamis visits & His special blessings to the district
Swamy took birth in this district. Studied at Government School in Bukkapatnam, few kilometres from Puttaparthi, took Board examination at Penukonda School, located about 50 km from Puttaparthi. Later continued studies at a School in Uravakonda. It is in Uravakonda that the epochal Avatara prakatana happened in the compound of Excise Inspector Sri Anjaneyulu.
Notable are the historic visits to families of Sri Chidambaraiah, Sri Pattabhi, Sri Meda and other families of Anantapur town. Ms Lakshmidevamma, DEO (retd), Sri Jwalanaiah both reached His Lotus Feet, were mighty instruments of the Almighty. Close associates of Sri Jwalanaiah, Sri T C Aswartha Narayana, Sri T Nagaraju, are still serving the Lord.
Young Sathya’s forced trip to Kadiri, some 70 km from the Puttaparthi to free Him from the “devil” by a famous exorcist is a painful episode. It teaches us forbearance (“Saburi”).
SRI SATHYA SAI COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Easwaramma imparted her dream to her Divine Son, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. She wanted that the women of this country, generally regarded as weak and helpless, be fully empowered, and provided with the tools of education so that the dying roots of traditional values may be revived with the mastery of Character and Culture. As the women, so the families; as the families, as Manu says, so the societies; as the societies, so the nations; and as the nations, so the world.
It is a significant fact of history that among the educational institutions started by Bhagawan, the first was the Sri Sathya Sai Arts & Science College (for women) at Anantapur, in 1968. The building (that houses the present women’s campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning) was built in a record time of ten months! No wonder, therefore, that Dr. Bhagavantam wrote, “The College at Anantapur is a concrete manifestation of something superhuman….If you want to see Divinity in action, you can find concrete evidence at Anantapur!”
Inaugurated on 8th July, 1971, the building is an architectural archetype of all Sai Institutions. It is circular in shape, symbolising the fulfilment of the search for God. As Sri Kasturi wrote, it looks “like a prayer rising up from the heart, a poem of praise for the Giver of all Good.” The then Minister of Education said, on the occasion, “When Baba establishes a college for women we may be certain that it will not be just one among many. It will be a beacon, a lesson for others, a model, a pioneer.” And, what did Beloved Bhagawan have to say? Bhagawan Baba concluded His Divine Discourse with a powerful, prophetic statement, “The seed has been planted; it will sprout and spread, heavy with fruits, providing shade, security and sustenance to all.” Little did anyone know, or dream, that one day, on the strength of the achievements of this Women’s College, the UGC would consider Deemed University status for the it.
Contribution from in establishing SSSSO in District
Dr N Anjinaiah, former State President, SSSSO, Andhra Pradesh, National Convener, Spirituality, Dr. Y. Rama Subbaiah, Dr. P Ramesh Narayana Dr Tirumala Rao and few others.
Sri Chidambaraiah, Sri Pattabhi, Sri Meda Ramaiah, Sri Meda Subbaiah, Sri Sathyanarayana of Bukkapatnam (Swami’s classmate), Smt Karanam Subbamma of Puttaparthi and other families of Anantapur town. Close associates of Sri Jwalanaiah, Sri T C Aswartha Narayana, Sri T Nagaraju, are still serving the Lord. All these noble people contributed to the SSSS Organisation.
Present Activities
There are 20 Samithis and 180 Bhajana Mandalis in Anantapur dist. 145 Bal Vikas gurus are training 5347 students ( three levels ) in 83 Bal Vikas centres. Narayana seva was offered to 73079 persons by Samithis and Bhajana Mandalis on different occasions during the year. 13211 patients were given medicines after consultations in 7 medical centres in the dist.
1. New Bhajana Mandalis
Bhajana Mandalis were opened at Agraharam and Venkatapuram in Kothacheruvu samithi region during this year.
2. “Swatchata Se Divyatha Thak” Programme
By the Divine Blessings and Grace of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the SSSS Samiti, Anantapur conducted the inauguration of Swatchata Se Divyatha Thak (SSDT) programme and also did seva under this programme as per the instructions of All India President Sri Nimish Pandya garu. The SSDT programme was inaugurated by Sri P. Subramanya Kumar, Addl Dist. Judge, Anantapur in the presence of State President, AP & TS states, Sri S G Chalam garu and Hospital Superintendent, Dr. A. Jagannath garu, in the Govt. Dist Head Quarters Hospital premises, Anantapur.
Anantapur district stood first in this program during this year.
3. Mobile Hospital in Two Villages
SSS Seva Samithi, Anantapur is running monthly Mobile Hospital in remote villages of Sidracharla and Malavalla Palli. Dr. K. Satish, M.S., FRCS, 4 paramedical staff and about 8 sevadal are attending this medical service on 3rd Sunday of every month. About 75 patients are treated regularly and medicines are given for one-month duration in each camp.
4. DJP
Deenajanodharana Pathakam ( DJP ) centre was started at Hindupur on 14 May 2009 with 3 children. At present, there are 34 children in the DJP centre and the senior most member is studying first year B.Tech in a reputed Engineering College at Bangalore.
By the Divine Grace of Swamy, the children are able to learn bhajan singing, veda chanting, yoga, classical dance, karate etc., in addition to regular studies.
5. RVTC
Sri Sathya Sai Lakshminarayana Swamy Rural Vocational Training Centre at Tadipatri, is offering training in Electrical technician trade with an intake of 6 – 9 youth in each batch. It is a residential program with 3 months duration. The seventh and eighth batches started on 29 May 2017 and 2 Oct 2017 respectively with 5 and 7 students. The trained youth are in touch with the centre for further support and advice. All the youth are reasonably well placed.
6. Vedam training - Veda Poshana Workshop
Dr. N. Anjanaiah garu, National Spiritual coordinator, inaugurated the Veda Poshana Workshop on 18 June 2017 at Anantapur, organized by SSS Seva Samithi,Anantapur. 250 members participated in the workshop. 45 members were evaluated by Veda resource persons including Sri Phaneendra Varanasi, State Coordinator for Vedam. 19 members were identified for further training. Later, “Train the Trainers” program was organized four times for 45 persons during July to November 2017 in Puttaparthi. In this program, 9 persons were selected as Vedam trainers by the Resource persons, who are alumni of SSSIHL, Prasanthinilayam. The Train the Trainers program has been planned to train at least one or two members from each samithis n the dist.
7. SSS National Nithya Narayana Seva
Sri Sathya Sai Nithya Narayana Seva ( SSSNNS ) was started on 28 March 2017 with FIVE narayanas at Anantapur by SSS Seva Samithi, Anantapur. SSS Seva Samithi, Hindupur , started the seva on 3 June 2013 and at present providing 3 meal ( Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ) every day to 30 narayanas. SSS Seva Samithis Lepakshi and Unthakal are also providing 2 meal per day each to one narayana. In addition to this, 55 Amrutha Kalasams are distributed by different samithis in the dist. Out of 55 beneficiaries, 20 are HIV positive children.
8. Free Mass Marriages
Free mass marriages were performed to 32 couples by Hindupur samithi and also Chikatimani Palli samithi during this year. The marriages were performed following all rituals and traditions.
Any other memorable activities in the district
The Avataric mission started in this district and being perpetuated through the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. The very abode of the Supreme, The Prasanthi Nilayam township, is the Spiritual capital of the world at large.
JAI SAI RAM
