Birth and Family
Bhagavan Baba was born on 23rd November 1926 in Puttaparthi, a remote village of Andhra Pradesh in India, in the Ratnakar family of Sri Kondama Raju, who was the grandfather of Bhagavan's physical body. The divine child Sathyanarayana Raju (called Sathya or Raju in childhood) was the fourth child of the devout couple, Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Srimati Easwaramma.

Puttaparthi
Puttaparthi in the early 40's consisted of only two lanes, which met each other at right angles in addition to a few mud huts. A western author, Arnold Schulman, who visited this hamlet in late sixties, described this cluster of scattered huts as "ten minutes past the Stone Age". Today, however that very hamlet holds in it's heart "PRASHANTHI NILAYAM " OR Abode of the Highest Peace, one of the most important pilgrim centers of India and the world. Bhagavan Baba has transformed this so-called Stone Age village into a modern township with a unique educational complex and a university, a super speciality hospital with all modern facilities and an airport of its own. The crest jewel of this now world-known place is Prashanthi Nilayam, where millions come every year from all corners of the world to receive the blessings of the Avatar.

Old Mandir
When the number of devotees increased, need for a Mandir was felt by the devotees. Thus, the Old Mandir was constructed at the place between Sathyabhama and Gopalaswami temples, which was inaugurated by Bhagavan Baba on 14th December 1945. The Old Mandir had four rooms. Bhagavan shifted from Karnam Subbamma's house and occupied one of the rooms to the left of the verandah. One room was used as a storeroom and the other two rooms were for the devotees.

Divine Leelas on Chitravathi Sands
After the inauguration of the Old Mandir, the daily flow of devotees to Puttaparthi increased substantially. During those days, devotees would get ready at 3.00 p.m. in the afternoon to witness Bhagavan's Leelas (divine pranks) on the sands of Chitravathi. By 4.00 p.m. all would reach there. Baba would ask the devotees to choose the place of their liking and all would sit in a circle. Baba would then start playing with the sand while eager eyes of the devotees watched His divine play. From the mounds of sand, He would bring out idols of gods and goddesses, sweets of various kinds and numerous other objects. In fact, anything He willed would come out of the sand. From 1946 to 1949, this was almost a daily event.

On certain special days, Baba would take out a Kalasha (vessel) full of nectar from these sands and distribute this ethereal liquid to devotees. At other times nectar would flow from His fingers and the fortunate devotees would receive it. In later years also some devotees were privileged to see such Leelas of Bhagavan. During Guru Poornima and other occasions Bhagavan would materialize and give us all devotees 'AMRIT'.

The tamarind tree, now called Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) standing on the hill on the West Bank of the river and Baba would ask them what they wanted. And in an instant, Baba would pluck them from the tree and give them.

Prashanthi Nilayam
The number of devotees kept on increasing with the result that in a few years the Old Mandir could not accommodate them. Even sheds and makeshift Pandals around the Old Mandir were inadequate during festivals. In answer to the prayers of the devotees, Baba agreed for a more spacious place. Thus, the idea of New Mandir was conceived and the same was constructed at a place to the south of the village of Puttaparthi. Bhagavan Baba inaugurated it on 23rd November 1950 on his 25th birthday and named it Prashanthi Nilayam (the abode of supreme peace).Prashanthi Nilayam, the abode of Bhagavan Baba, bears testimony of Bhagavan's Divinity. The millions who throng this small township in a remote part of Andhra Pradesh in India experience its divine vibrations, which are soaked in its atmosphere. They come from all parts of the world, from nearly 180 countries spending their money and time to have Darshan and blessings of Bhagavan. When they return to their countries and places, they carry with them numerous stories of experiences, which describe the divine love of Bhagavan for the entire mankind.

Bhagavan's presence has made Prashanthi Nilayam a township of love and peace. It is a different world altogether where Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa permeate the entire environment. Though there are crowds everywhere, there are no jarring noises. There is cleanliness, order, discipline, courtesy and humility everywhere. This is a mini world in itself. People from different countries following different religions, speaking different languages live together, dine together and mingle with each other with sacred feelings of love and brotherhood. If one wants to see "brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God" not merely in theory but in practice, one can see it in Prashanthi Nilayam.