New Delhi, July 17: Puttaparti, the centre of Satya Sai Baba in Anantapur
district, has been approved by Union tourism minister Renuka Chowdhary for
development as a major tourist destination. Andhra Pradesh tourism
minister
Geetha Reddy is the prime mover of the project to develop Puttaparti into
a
major international tourist destination. The project has been
expeditiously
approved as a major event is to take place in 2006, the 80th birth
anniversary
of Satya Sai Baba. Puttaparti is sought to be developed before the event
as a
large number of tourists from abroad are expected to flock there in 2006.
Under the scheme, the roads and surroundings will be improved. Landscaping
of
parks and illumination will be taken up, and solid waste and sewerage
management, wayside amenities and tourist accommodation will be created.
Satya Sai Baba transformed Puttaparti, a nondescript village, into an
international centre. Puttaparti now boasts of an international centre for
higher learning and a super-speciality hospital where any ailment is
treated and
every surgery performed free of cost. Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram of
Satya Sai
Baba, attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year. Prashanti
Nilayam
means abode of peace. The ashram, inaugurated in 1950, is a huge complex
with
room for thousands with canteens, shops, a museum, library and a vast
assembly
hall where Sai Baba gives darshan twice daily.
A considerable number of devotees turn out for his birthday celebrations
in
Puttaparti, where he delivers a message to his devotees. Other
destinations
approved for development as tourist destinations are Pochampally, which
was the
venue for the launch of the Bhoodan Movement by Acharya Vinobha Bhave and
is a
centre famous for silk sarees; Chinchinada, Konaseema and Srikalahasti.
Konaseema is a set of breathtakingly picturesque islands floating in a
50-km
stretch of the Godavari river near Rajahmundry.