By Akash Sharma There is only one address in India where a prime minister’s inaugural speech calls a convention centre “a new prime think tank for the nation” — and that address is Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi. On July 4, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, via video conferencing from New Delhi, calling it a centre that combines “spirituality with the splendour of modernity.” The inauguration was attended by prominent dignitaries and devotees from across the world — the international character of the occasion reflecting the global reach of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s spiritual mission, which draws devotees from over 180 countries.
The Sai Hira Global Convention Centre was constructed by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust — the institutional body that manages Prasanthi Nilayam, the hospitals, educational institutions, and service projects of the Sathya Sai Organisation worldwide. The centre was donated by philanthropist Shri Ryuko Hira — a Japanese devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba — whose generosity funded the facility and whose name it carries. It is located within Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi — the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Sathyasai District of Andhra Pradesh, 520 kilometres from Hyderabad and 160 kilometres from Bengaluru.
The convention centre provides world-class infrastructure for conferences, seminars, cultural events, spiritual gatherings, and academic programmes — the PM himself described it as a centre for “spiritual conferences and academic programs where scholars and experts from all over the world will come together.” Facilities include a large auditorium with state-of-the-art AV infrastructure, modern conference halls, accommodation for guests and attendees, breakout spaces, and the full service infrastructure of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus. The Sathya Sai Central Trust’s institutional scale — managing hospitals, universities, and service projects across the country — ensures professional management at a standard that justifies the global conference positioning.
Sai Hira Global Convention Centre Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Sai Hira Global Convention Centre |
| Location | Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Puttaparthi, Sathyasai District — Andhra Pradesh |
| Managed By | Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust |
| Donated By | Shri Ryuko Hira (Japanese philanthropist and Sai devotee) |
| Inaugurated By | PM Narendra Modi — July 4, 2023 (via video conferencing) |
| Context | Main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba; Prasanthi Nilayam |
| PM’s Description | “Spirituality and splendour of modernity”; “Prime think tank for the nation” |
| Purpose | Spiritual conferences, academic programmes, cultural events, international gatherings |
| Auditorium | State-of-the-art AV infrastructure; large-capacity |
| Conference Halls | Modern multi-purpose conference spaces |
| Accommodation | Available — Prasanthi Nilayam campus infrastructure |
| Reach | Devotees and delegates from 180+ countries |
| Events | International spiritual conferences, academic seminars, cultural programmes, inter-faith gatherings |
| Distance from Bengaluru | Approx. 160 km |
| Distance from Hyderabad | Approx. 520 km |
| Distance from Puttaparthi Airport | Adjacent — Puttaparthi Airport (Sri Sathya Sai Airport) is in the same town |
| Distance from Kadiri Railway Station | Approx. 45 km |
Location
Prasanthi Nilayam is the sacred ashram village established by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, on the banks of the Chitravathi River in the Anantapur district (now Sathyasai District) of Andhra Pradesh. The Sai Hira Global Convention Centre is within the ashram campus — the same grounds that house the Prashanti Nilayam Mandir, the Sai Kulwant Hall, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, the International Media Centre, and the museums of Sathya Sai Baba’s life and teachings.
Directions
From Bengaluru: Travel approximately 160 kilometres northward via NH-44 and the Penukonda-Hindupur approach, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. From Hyderabad: Travel approximately 520 kilometres southwestward via NH-44, approximately 8 to 9 hours. From Puttaparthi Airport (Sri Sathya Sai Airport): Adjacent — the airport is within 1 to 2 kilometres of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus. From Kadiri Railway Station: Travel approximately 45 kilometres by road, 60 minutes.
Connectivity
Puttaparthi Airport (Sri Sathya Sai Airport, IATA: PUT) — within 1 to 2 kilometres — handles charter and special flights during major Sathya Sai festivals and events, as well as limited scheduled domestic services. The Bangalore-Hyderabad NH-44 passes through Penukonda approximately 35 kilometres from Puttaparthi, providing road access. Kadiri Railway Station on the Guntakal-Chennai main line is 45 kilometres away.
Nearby Areas
Puttaparthi town — the urban service settlement around the ashram — has dozens of accommodation facilities, restaurants, and shops serving the year-round pilgrim-delegate population. The Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Prasanthi Nilayam campus) is within the same campus. Penukonda Fort — the historic fortification of the Vijayanagara Empire — is 35 kilometres from Puttaparthi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where is Sai Hira Global Convention Centre located?
A: Within Prasanthi Nilayam campus, Puttaparthi, Sathyasai District, Andhra Pradesh. Managed by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. 160 km from Bengaluru; 520 km from Hyderabad.
Q2. Who inaugurated Sai Hira Global Convention Centre?
A: PM Narendra Modi on July 4, 2023, via video conferencing — calling it a “new prime think tank for the nation” combining spirituality with modern infrastructure.
Q3. Who donated the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre?
A: Shri Ryuko Hira — a Japanese philanthropist and devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba — whose donation funded the centre and whose name it carries.
Q4. What types of events are held at Sai Hira Global Convention Centre?
A: International spiritual conferences, academic seminars, cultural programmes, inter-faith gatherings, and educational events drawing delegates from over 180 countries.
Q5. How far is the nearest airport from Puttaparthi?
A: Puttaparthi Airport (Sri Sathya Sai Airport, IATA: PUT) is within 1 to 2 kilometres of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus.