Established in 1979, in Puttaparthi, the Prasanthi Nilayam campus (for men) was fortunate to evolve under the direct supervision of Bhagawan. The Anantapur and Brindavan colleges preceded Prasanthi Nilayam and together the campuses grew under the umbrella of the Deemed to be University established by Bhagawan in 1981.

The commencement of Post Graduate and Professional courses like MBA (1986), Mtech (1988) & the PhD Programs (1984) in this campus showcased to the world how Bhagawan’s vision of free education, was to unfold into a high quality academic institution where value based ‘Educare’ was imparted. Setting up the college & hostel buildings, recruiting faculty of high caliber, setting up the syllabus drawing in luminaries from varied fields of education, Bhagawan did it all. He reminded the world, yet again, of His declaration on Karma Yoga given to Arjuna in the Dwapara Yuga. “There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that needs to be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that needs to be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.”  

The time spent daily by the students with Bhagawan in the mandir or during His visits to the hostel and college was towards that one objective He had declared at the time of establishing the University. “This Institute has not been established just to prepare you for earning degrees. The main purpose is to help you cultivate Self-knowledge and Self-confidence, so that each one of you can learn Self-sacrifice and earn Self-realisation.”

The Prasanthi Nilayam campus currently offers Undergraduate (B.A., B.P.A., B.S.), Postgraduate (M.A., M.Sc.), Professional (M.Tech.), and Research (Ph.D.) programmes. The MBA program is now offered at the Brindavan Campus.

Bhagawan established the college building at Prasanthi Nilayam on 1st July 1979 

The Lord Ganesha, who stands for auspiciousness, new beginnings & remover of obstacles sits right across the quadrangle facing the main entrance.

Senior Boys Hostel Inauguration

Nov 1980: Bhagawan accompanied by Col. Joga Rao, architect of the building, entered the premises of the Senior Boys Hostel on the day of Inauguration.

Bhagawan inaugurated the new hostel on 19th November 1980, cutting the ribbon as the Rajamata Gulabkunverba Saheba of Nawanagar stands beside Him. The hostel named “Gulabkunverba block” replaced the old quarters that once housed the students. A devoted follower, the Rajamata had offered the building to Bhagawan, her kindness remembered through the portrait that greets every visitor at the hostel atrium. Her former residence now forms part of the Brindavan Campus, a quiet testament to her enduring faith.

Institute Administration Block Inauguration

Nov 1981: Bhagawan on the way up the hill to inaugurate the Administration block of the Institute. Bhagawan is with then Karnataka Chief Minister Sri Gundurao. Justice Y.V. Chandrachud inaugurated the administrative block. Left of image, what is today the Sai Srinivas Guest House was the General Hospital back then.

1980s: Bhagawan as the Founding Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, presiding over the Academic council, in the Administrative Block of the Institute.

1983: Bhagawan visiting the clearing work done by the students at the site of the current hill view stadium. The weariness of many hours of toil would vanish, refreshed by the joy of His presence.

1985: Bhagawan reviewing the construction of the central library building – during and after construction. The central library was inaugurated on Nov 22, 1985

Early 1980s: Bhagawan’s visits to the hostel – Bhagawan would visit the hostel at least four times a year. There would be pleasant surprises, impromptu walk-ins to visit a sick boy or inspect the hostel kitchen.

Mid 1980s: Bhagawan blessing the students in the old dining hall, a space filled with quiet devotion. The altar stood near where the dispensary stands today, its presence marking a sacred corner of daily life. Years later, in 1996, the hall expanded to what it is today.

Late 1980’s : Bhagawan inspecting one of the hostel rooms, accompanied by Sri. Venkatachalam. The Chancellor of the University, ensuring the quality of the hostel experience. From the menu to the schedule, Bhagawan ensured the best for His students.

Bhagawan distributing Prasadam to visitors in the hostel dining hall. Behind Him stands the familiar Jhula, now a cherished part of the hostel’s memories. Sri. Venkatachalam holds the tray of sweets, while Sri Kasturi and Sri.Karunyananda and Dr.V.K.Gokak former Vice Chancellor can be seen standing. Seated against the wall, immediately on the left of the wooden frame is Mr. Antonio Craxi from Italy, whose family donated the primary school building at Prasanthi Nilayam — a quiet symbol of faith that crossed oceans.

Bhagawan distributing Prasadam to the students in the hostel.

1984: Inauguration of Department of Biosciences in Prasanthi Nilayami. Named V.D. Prasad Rao block. Sri V.D. Prasad Rao was also responsible for construction of Shivam in Hyd.

Bhagawan is flanked by Prof.  Saraf then Vice Chancellor, Prof.  Mahajan, Prof.  Srinivasan and Mr. Chakravarthi, then registrar of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.

1984: Visit to the Department of Biosciences. In the 2nd row on the left is Sri. V.K. Narasimhan, Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express, before joining as the editor to Sanathan Sarathi in 1987. Others in the picture are UGC representatives, Prof. Somnath Saraf then Vice Chancellor and Prof. Mahajan then Head of Department- Bioscience and director PSN Campus.

1985: Bhagawan walking down the corridors of Prasanthi Nilayam campus. Bhagawan would walk up to the 3rd floor stairs briskly.

Bhagawan’s visit to the photonics lab in Physics dept, Prasanthi Nilayami. Late Sri Umesh Sir on the Right and Sri. Hirok Changakoti looking through the lens at a hologram of a Swan.

Bhagawan in the college building corridor with Prof.Sampath on Bhagawan’s left and Prof.Saraf on His Right. Faculty, administration staff and students line the corridor.

Bhagawan visiting the Chemistry laboratory

Shed behind stadium – current location of school hostel

1985: Bhagawan accompanied His students to Ammagundapalayam, marking the inaugural Grama Seva conducted by students in a cluster of villages. This was part of Bhagawan’s 60th Birthday celebrations.

1987: The iconic Shakaracharya drama, first directed by Bhagawan in 1974 was re-created in 1987. The play was performed over the years thrice by Bhagawan in Mumbai, Bangalore and Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagawan would get into every detail in each play & yet on the final day of the event witness the program with all His majesty as a guest of honour is a lesson…

1990s : ‘I declare the convocation open’

A memorable event for each graduating student of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. The day marks an important milestone in the life of the student when the Oath is administered to the student to Conduct themselves in their daily lives—in thought, word, and deed—in a manner that befits a member of the Institute;Support the causes of sound learning, humanity, morality, and spirituality to the best of their ability; Uphold and advance the social and all-around welfare of their countrymen and fellow human beings.

1993-95:  This photograph captures one of those cherished evenings when Bhagawan joined the students for dinner. Until 1995, the hostel was shared by school and university students. Pouring water as Bhagawan washes His Hand is Mr. Janardhanan, then school warden, behind him is Dr. Siva Sankara Sai, then warden of PSN campus, with Sri. Venkatachalam and Prof. Lakshminarsimhan, standing by.

1995: Though the hostel was inaugurated in 1980, it truly became the students’ home on Christmas Day, 1982. From then on, Christmas grew into the hostel’s own festival — a day of joy, faith, and togetherness. Bhagawan would visit almost every year, His presence filling the corridors with light and laughter. The Jhula would be placed in the quadrangle, where celebrations took on a unique charm. A student played the role of the Priest, twelve others as cardinals, and verses from the Bible were read aloud in His Presence.

Bhagawan tosses toffees to boys in hostel quadrangle, The concrete stage came up only after 1996. In the late eighties, students would carry benches from the bioscience and physics labs to build a makeshift platform, their effort turning every visit into a celebration born of devotion and ingenuity.

To the north of the quadrangle the students created a tiny garden with a pond, its waters alive with darting fish and shaded by a tamarind tree. Bhagawan inaugurated the garden, crossed the little bridge that arched over the pond. Pausing there, He fed the fishes, turning the quiet corner into a moment of gentle grace.

This serene spot was called Sai Prerana — an inspiration at the center of student life. Years later, a garden by the same name blossomed near the music college, carrying the memory forward.

1996: The Second Sai Prerana Garden was inaugurated by Bhagawan on 18th Jan 1996. A dedicated group of students, helped by rotating volunteers worked on it, assisted by Swami’s Beloved Elephant, Sai Geeta on one occasion, moving a heavy log from her enclosure into the Garden. On seeing the prototype in 1994, Bhagawan asked apparently in jest, whether it is a play ground or a school. His omniscience manifested later when part of the garden became a play ground and later the entire garden merged into the Mirpuri School of Music.

1998- 1999: This photograph captures one of Bhagawan’s many visits to the hostel, moments that always brought a hush of joy and devotion. Walking just behind Him on the right is Prof.  Shivashankara Sai, then the hostel warden. On the other side stands Prof.  Lakshminarsimhan, the then Registrar of the University, and behind him, Prof. Nanjundaiah, the then Controller of Examinations.

Bhagawan stands before a painting lovingly created by one of His students, a quiet smile lighting His face. The spot where He stands is now the stage area, once filled with eager voices and humble offerings. It was around February or March — the season of gratitude programs — and the students can be seen requesting Bhagawan to speak. The air seems alive with devotion, as if every color of the painting echoed their prayer to hear His words.

Oct 2000: Bhagawan flags off the first annual grama seva event. Moved by the poverty of a village mother struggling to feed her child, Bhagawan called all staff members of the college & called for launching a movement that inspired generations globally to focus on village integration programs.

Feb 2001: Bhagawan enjoying the hostel dinner

Bhagawan is seen leaving the hostel after dinner, the evening air filled with quiet contentment. Walking just behind Him is Prof.  Giri, the former Vice Chancellor, followed by Prof.  Lakshminarasimhan, the Registrar, and Dr. Shivaramakrishna, the present Principal of the Higher Secondary School. The image captures a gentle close to a night that blended reverence, simplicity, and the warmth of His presence. He declared in the discourse “I am you, you are mine. Like a shadow that’s always with you, I am also the indweller. Before leaving, He told the little school boys of Class VIII “ Do not forget whatever you experienced today”

2003: Bhagawan’s University starts formal education in Music. Like all projects of Bhagawan, the initial years were filled with opportunities for students as Bhagawan’s attention to details inspired the students & staff to always be in pursuit of perfection. After a concert offered at His Lotus Feet, by students of the foundation course, Bhagawan Himself guided them on the correct placement of the fingers on the diaphragm of the Tabla to produce the perfect sound.

2006: Inauguration of the Humanities Building & the Multimedia Centre.

Bhagawan’s involvement in every aspect of His Educational institutions sanctified them for eternity. With each visit, Bhagawan granted His Proximity and opportunities that sages pine for ages. His Life being His Message, He taught His Students through practice and not just precept. Let our lives now be His Message.