Puttaparthi Tour

This is the main temple in the Ashram, consisting of a two-story structure built in granite. Constructed in 1950, it has a central prayer hall where bhajans (or devotional music, so strong in the Sathya Sai tradition) are held daily. The omkar (chanting of the sacred mnemonic, Om) and the Suprabhatam (morning invocation to Sai Baba) are also held here in the early mornings at 4 am. Ornately decorated with silver and gems, the shrine contains large images of Shirdi Sai Baba (interestingly his robes here are saffron instead of white) and Sathya Sai Baba. These are flanked by columns displaying the symbols associated with the major religions of the world. There is also a large marble idol of Shirdi Sai Baba on a silver throne to one side, and an empty gold throne representing the seat of the living deity to the other side. It is particularly moving to visit the place during the omkar and bhajan when the air is resonant with the cadences of human voices united in a spirit of yearning and devotion. The morning prayers are followed by a two-minute meditative silence after which the congregation disperses and the temple lights are switched on.However, the blue and pink décor - muted, it is true - may be somewhat disconcerting to the aesthetic sensibilities of some visitors. Pink, blue and yellow does seem to be the colour code of all the major buildings at Puttaparthi and Whitefield. If the truth be told, the look is somewhat reminiscent of a Telugu potboiler film set. And yet, the fervour that permeates the place is undeniable.