The original name of Puttaparthy was Gollapalli which is situated on the banks of Chitravathi River. The entire area was covered with anthills with snake pits. Gollapalli thus became Puttapalli (village of anthills) and in due course Puttaparthy. Puttaparthy is now adored all over the world as the birthplace of the Avatar of the Age, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Prasanthi Nilayam, the Highest Abode of Peace was constructed in 1950 by the dedicated and loving devotees of Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba, a new movement itself for the regeneration of human society.