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General Information

I. Ashram Schedule
Bhagawan 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:

Darshan Timings:

Procedure for Darshan Seating: Devotees are allowed in to the Sai Kulwant Hall about an hour before Darshan. Ladies and Gents are seated separately for Darshan. There is no discrimination whatsoever based on religion, nationality, status or caste.

Procedure: Devotees queue up outside the Darshan Hall in rows. The order in which the rows are sent into the Hall is decided by drawing lots. This procedure is conducted separately for ladies and gents.

No money collected: No amount is collected from anybody for Darshan.

Articles prohibited during Darshan: Devotees are not permitted to carry along with them articles like pens, books, bags, mobile phones, cameras, radio or any other electronic gadgets in to the Darshan Hall. These articles can be kept in the cloakroom located within the Ashram, separately for ladies and gents.

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

Arati: 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.

II. Accommodation

For Indian Citizens
The Accommodation Office for Indian citizens is located in Room No. 9 in front of the South Indian canteen. Allotment of accommodation and extension of stay for Indian devotees is done here.

Timings: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Type of accommodation: The Accommodation available is of two types - Rooms and Dormitories. Allotment of any type of accommodation is subject to availability. All rights of admission or allotment are reserved by the Ashram authorities.

During festivals usually there are large crowds. Hence at such times, room accommodation may be difficult to secure and only dormitories may be available. 

Note: No separate room is allotted to an individual. However, rooms may be allotted if two or three persons of the same gender agree to share a room.

Advance reservations: No advance reservations are made for individuals and families. However, large groups may make arrangements in advance by contacting the Accommodation Office.

Arrival at non-office hours: For Indian devotees who arrive in Prasanthi Nilayam during non-office hours (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.), accommodation will be provided for a day in the dormitories, as allotted by the Sevadal volunteers at the Ashram entrance. These devotees are required to report to the Accommodation Office later during office hours and collect their accommodation receipt in order to extend their stay in the Ashram.

Payment: All payments towards room or dormitory charges should be made in cash in Indian rupees only. Payment by credit card is not accepted. See the table below for charges:

.

Service of Porters: Service of authorised porters at fixed tariffs is available for shifting of luggage at the time of arrival or departure.

Laundry service: There are authorised dhobis (laundry personnel) who collect the laundry outside the building every morning after 7 a.m. The clothes are usually returned within a day or two.

Checking Out: The checkout time is 12 noon.

General Instructions:

·         For any help or guidance, one may approach the Sevadal Volunteers (wearing blue/yellow scarves) posted in one’s accommodation block.

Contact Address: Indian Accommodation Office, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India – 515 134.

For Non-Resident Indians
Non-resident Indians need to carry their valid Indian passports while registering themselves at the Registration and Accommodation Office for Overseas Devotees located in North-8, A-1.

For Foreign Citizens
The Registration and Accommodation Office for Overseas Devotees is located in North–8, A-1. All overseas devotees seeking accommodation in the Ashram are required to report here on arrival for registration and allotment of accommodation.

Office Timings: From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days.

Registration: For the registration process, every overseas devotee must produce his/her valid passport and visa. A recent passport-size photograph also has to be submitted. In case one does not possess one, there is provision to take a digital photo in the office.

The visitors are required to fill in a registration form to complete the registration process. This form is available at the registration office or it can be downloaded in advance. Large groups with more than 25 members are advised to keep the filled-in registration forms ready so as to save time.

Note: An official of the State Police Department is available at North-7, A-1 on all Mondays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. [ Phone: (08555) 288833 ] One can consult him for issues regarding visa extension, etc. If need be, one may also consult the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Puttaparthi [ Phone: (08555) 287333 ] or the Foreigner's Registration Office of the Superintendent of Police, Anantapur on all week-days between 10-00 a.m. to 5-00 p.m. [ Phone: (08554) 232105 ]

Types of Accommodation: There are three types of accommodation available for overseas devotees:

• Rooms
  Rooms are generally allotted to families and not to a single person. However, if two or three individuals of the same gender agree to share a room, they may be allotted a room. All rooms have two cots and mattresses. Additional mattresses will be provided on request.

• Dormitories
  Dormitories are allotted to ladies only, with up to eight ladies per dormitory.

• Common Halls
  Common halls are allotted to gents only.

All Dormitories and Common halls are provided with cots and mattresses.

Advance reservations: No advance reservations can be made. However, large groups may be able to make arrangements in advance, preferably by contacting the Accommodation Office well before the planned time of arrival.

Single people under 25 years: Individuals below 25 years of age are not permitted to stay in the Ashram premises alone, unless they arrive in a group or with their family. They may however participate in all the Ashram activities like Darshan, Bhajans, etc. and can use the common services such as canteens, shopping complex, etc. while making their own arrangements for their accommodation.

Arrival at non-office hours: For Overseas devotees who arrive in Prasanthi Nilayam during non-office hours (between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.), accommodation will be provided for a day in the dormitories, as allotted by the Sevadal volunteers at the Ashram entrance. These devotees are required to report at the Registration and Accommodation Office for Overseas Devotees located in North–8, A-1 later during office hours to extend their stay in the Ashram.

Payment: All payments towards accommodation charges must be made in cash (in Indian rupees) only..

Service of Porters: Service of authorized porters at fixed tariffs is available for shifting of luggage at the time of arrival or departure.

Laundry service: There are authorized dhobis (laundry personnel) who collect the laundry outside the building every morning after 7 a.m. The clothes are usually returned within a day or two.

Checking Out: The checkout time is 12 noon.

General Instructions:

·         For any help or guidance, one may approach the Sevadal Volunteers (wearing blue / yellow scarves) posted in one’s accommodation block.

Contact Address: Overseas Registration and Accommodation Office, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India – 515 134.

III. Food

There are three canteens in the Ashram that cater to the varying tastes of the thousands who visit Prasanthi Nilayam from all over the world. They provide hygienically prepared vegetarian food at nominal prices.

South Indian Canteen
The South Indian Canteen located in front of the Indian Accommodation Office offers South Indian cuisine meals, snacks and beverages. It has separate dining sections for gents and ladies. Payment in the canteen is in the form of canteen coupons only. Cash is not accepted. Coupons may be purchased at the Counter located near West-2.

Timings:

A bakery counter is kept open in the South Indian Canteen premises between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

North Indian Canteen

The North Indian Canteen is located near the North Block buildings, serves north Indian cuisine lunch and dinner. There are separate sections for gents and ladies. Only cash payment (in Indian Rupees) is accepted.

Western Canteen

The Western Canteen is located between Round Building-2 and Round Building-3. It caters to the continental palate. All payments in this canteen are made directly in cash (Indian rupees).

Bakery
The Bakery is located behind South–6 block flanking the Shopping Centre on the left side, where items like bread, bun, pizzas etc. are available.

Timings:

IV. Medical Care

General Hospital

Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital is located adjacent to the Ashram precincts. The hospital has outpatient facilities and also provides casualty/emergency services. The hospital provides free diagnosis and treatment in General Medicine, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

However, patients with serious ailments relating to Cardiology, Urology or Ophthalmology are referred to the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital, which is located 7 Kilometres from the Ashram.

Super Specialty Hospital

The Super Speciality Hospital, also called the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, is located 7 kilometres from the Ashram. The hospital offers tertiary care in the departments of Cardiology/Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Urology and Ophthalmology completely free of charge.

Shopping Centre

The Shopping Centre is adjacent to South-6 block, near the Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust building. Day-to-day needs of devotees ranging from stationery, grocery and home needs to clothing and travel goods are available at nominal prices.

Timings:

Fruits and Vegetables
The Fruits and Vegetables Stall is located behind the Shopping Centre.

VIII. Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust

Books, Audio & Video Stall
The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust is the central official body that undertakes the printing, publishing and sale of various books, audio & video cassettes, CDs & DVDs etc. relating to the life and teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Bhajans and festivals in the Divine Presence. The Trust also undertakes the sale of publications in other Indian and Foreign languages.

It is located behind South-6, near the Shopping Centre.

The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust building is located behind South-6, near the Shopping Centre. It houses the sales floor where books, audio (cassettes & CDs) and video (cassettes, CDs & DVDs) are sold at nominal prices.

Library cum Reading Room
The Book Trust building also houses a reading room that is a storehouse of Sai Literature with a large and varied collection of books on the life and teachings of Bhagawan Baba and experiences of devotees, in many Indian and foreign languages.

IX. Telephone Booth

Inland and overseas telephone calls can be made from the telephone booths in the ground floor of the Sevadal Accommodation building located opposite the Round Block-5.

Timings: It is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

X. Postal Counter

A counter of the Post Office is located inside the Ashram premises in the ground floor of the Sevadal Accommodation building opposite to Round Building-5. All routine postal transactions except despatch of telegrams may be done here. The Prasanthi Nilayam Post Office is located a kilometre away from the Ashram beyond the Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri Music College Campus.

.XIII. Wheel Chair facility
Devotees in need of wheelchairs may obtain them at North-8, A-10 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The accommodation office also allots ground floor rooms to such people on request, subject to availability. The wheelchairs are not supposed to be taken outside the Ashram premises and must be returned on the specified date.

XIV. Maintenance Office
The Ashram Maintenance Office may be contacted for any civil, electrical, water supply problems or any other complaints concerning one’s room or hall. It is located adjacent to the West-3 block on the southern end.

XV. Public Relations Office
The Public Relations Office is located in Room No. 12, opposite the South Indian Canteen. This office is open from 7.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on all days. The ‘Lost-and-Found Office’ is also located here, where devotees can enquire about their lost belongings, or deposit any unclaimed articles found inside the Ashram. Any clarifications can be had by contacting the Public Relations Office at the Ashram.

XVI. Cloak Room
The men's cloakroom is located adjacent to the Security Office next to the Gopuram gate of the Ashram and the women's cloakroom is situated next to the Public Relations Office, facing the South Indian Canteen.

The Cloak Room accepts only small articles such as mobile phones, handbags, etc. However, high-value articles such as jewellery, etc. and bulky items like suitcases, rucksacks, etc. are not accepted for safekeeping.

XVII. Safe Deposit Locker
A safe deposit locker is made available to devotees at North-8, A-10 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for storing valuables

Dress Code

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.

Bhagawan’s Schedule

·         Although Bhagawan Baba's programme is not generally known in advance, He is usually present in Prasanthi Nilayam from early June to the middle of March. However, it is advisable to call Public Relations Office, Prasanthi Nilayam at (0091) 8555-287390   or visit www.srisathyasai.org ,