Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

An Immersive Journey Through the Universe

Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre in Puttaparthi is truly a gem for anyone fascinated by the wonders of the cosmos. The planetarium is equipped with a state-of-the-art dome-shaped screen and advanced audio-visual technology, creating an incredibly immersive experience that makes you feel as if you are traveling through outer space. The captivating shows are as educational as they are entertaining, making complex concepts in astronomy, physics, and mathematics accessible to people of all ages.

Welcoming and Educational Atmosphere

One of the highlights of a visit to the Space Theatre is its cozy atmosphere and thoughtful design. The semi-reclined seating arrangement within the dome ensures a comfortable viewing experience and allows for a sweeping 180-degree view of the stunning visuals. The theatre hosts regular shows in multiple languages—Hindi, English, and Telugu—ensuring inclusivity for a diverse audience.

Fun for Families and Students

Families with children will especially appreciate the educational value of the attractions. The shows provide a panoramic journey explaining fascinating phenomena, from the colors of the cosmos to the mysteries of planets, satellites, and galaxies. Kids are captivated by the engaging presentations, and many visitors find themselves wishing the 30-minute shows were even longer.

Unique Features

• No admission fee: Following the founder’s vision, the theatre offers free shows to all visitors, making quality scientific education accessible to everyone. • Easy Accessibility: Located just a short walk from the main ashram road, the theatre is convenient for tourists and pilgrims alike. • Peaceful Ambience: The serene and peaceful atmosphere enhances the enjoyment of the incredible celestial displays, making a visit to the Space Theatre both a relaxing and inspiring experience. Conclusion Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre stands out as a must-visit destination in Puttaparthi. Whether you are a curious traveler, a student, or a family seeking a unique educational outing, the planetarium promises a delightful and memorable journey through the universe. Highly recommended for anyone...

Unfortunately, this review is solely due to the rude behavior of one staff member. One person's attitude can ruin the experience and reputation of an otherwise good place. His behavior did not reflect the values or humility that Baba preached.

Feedback:

The planetarium being open for just one hour a day feels like a waste of such a great resource. Ideally, it should be open longer, especially considering public interest.

Our Experience:

We reached the planetarium unaware that it closes by 10:30 AM. Like most public institutions, we assumed it would be open at least from 9 AM to 5 PM and didn’t check the specific timings online—our mistake, admittedly.

As we approached, a staff member was exiting. Out of casual curiosity, we mentioned our surprise that such a place operates for just an hour. Initially, he explained that they conduct 3 shows catering to 600 people. Fair enough.

But then his tone changed dramatically. He declared, "If an ant comes at 10:30, we will admit, but even if the Prime Minister comes at 10:31, we won’t allow him in. While we understood his emphasis on punctuality, this kind of exaggerated statement felt unnecessarily arrogant and confrontational.

When we mentioned we had assumed regular hours, he got agitated and said, “You people check timings for flights and trains but don’t bother checking this!”—spoken in a very animated and scolding tone.

Realizing the situation was escalating over a harmless comment, we said, “Thank you, please carry on with your work.” But surprisingly, he then instructed the watchman to lock the gates and not allow us in. We said "who asked entry into this, we were just asking why this is open only for an hour"

He continued saying he was “offended” and doubled down on his anger, even though we had not been rude or demanding in any way. Eventually, to de-escalate, we apologized (though we still don’t understand what exactly we did wrong), and asked him to carry on with his work.

Final Thoughts:

A simple question led to an unnecessarily hostile interaction. For a place associated with knowledge, science, and spiritual legacy, a little more patience, humility, and professionalism would...

The Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre or Planetarium, is associated with the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, which was the first university in the country to employ a planetarium for educational purposes. The Planetarium undertakes outreach by acting as a catalyst in creating interest and also increasing the understanding of the basic concepts of astronomy, mathematics, physics and other disciplines in the students the surrounding rural areas.

It was inaugurated by Bhagawan on 22nd November, 1985. In 2002, the Planetarium control system was upgraded to a completely computerized system, with an automation system developed in-house. In 2011, a full-dome projection system has been incorporated using the mirror-dome technique.

It is situated on the main road, opposite to the Higher Secondary School Boys’ Hostel in the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyagiri campus.

There is no entry fees...