Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s most revered spiritual leaders, died here Sunday after prolonged illness, plunging millions of his followers across the world into gloom. He was 85.
Sai Baba, whom many worshipped as god despite attacks from critics, breathed his last at the Sathya Sai Super-speciality hospital, where he was admitted March 28 with cardiac problems.
The spiritual guru’s last rites will be performed Wednesday morning with state honours. Andhra Pradesh has declared four days mourning.
“Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us. He left his physical body at 7.40 a.m. April 24, 2011 due to cardio-respiratory failure,” said a statement from the hospital released around 10.30 a.m.
The body was shifted from the hospital to Prashanti Nilayam in the evening, where it will be kept till Wednesday for his devotees to pay homage.
Thousands of devotees, from commoners to VIPs and celebrities, are making their way to this pilgrim town for a last glimpse of Sai Baba, whose body lies in state at the Sai Kulwant Hall of Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram he founded.
The devotees began entering Baba’s ashram around 7 p.m. to pay their last respects.
With folded hands, the devotees, mainly VIPs, were seen passing by the body of Baba in Sai Kulwant Hall.
Though Baba’s face was covered when Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narashiman and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy paid their last respects at the hospital, it was not covered at Prashanti Nilayam.
The body was wrapped in saffron-coloured cloth.
Prashanti Nilayam, where heads of states and prime ministers used to forego protocol to seek his blessings, will also have the guru’s last rites being performed.
Puttaparthi, a small hamlet in Anantapur district, that Baba turned into a town with state-of-the art medical, educational and infrastructure facilities became a wailing town with hundreds of devotees lining up its streets with tears in their eyes as Sai Baba’s body was brought in a convoy of vehicles amid tight security.
“I can’t believe that Swamy is no more,” said Sharada Devi, a devotee, her voice choked with emotion.
“Today is the saddest day of my life,” said T. Raghav, another devotee trying to control his sobs.
The town is getting ready to receive tens of thousands of devotees arriving here from all parts of India and abroad in the next two days.
Over 6,000 policemen had already been deployed and additional forces are being rushed to the town.
Transport authorities are operating special buses to Puttaparthi from various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Messages of sorrow poured from all quarters of the society, from common devottes to celebrities, corporate heads, film personalities and politicians.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled Baba’s death, saying he was an inspiration to people of all faiths and that his death was an irreparable loss to all.
Vice President Hamid Ansari said Baba’s message of service to humanity is of eternal relevance.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a statemen said: “He was a spiritual person whom millions followed. His life has inspired people in the country and abroad towards spirituality and religion.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, a follower of Sai Baba, said: “I offer a tearful homage to his great soul. I would like to go for the ‘anthyesthi kriya’ (last rites).”
Sathya Sai centres across India and abroad witnessed gatherings of followers in prayer sessions.
Sai Baba, whose real name was Sathyanarayana Raju, was born Nov 23, 1926 at Puttaparthi. In 1940, he claimed he was an avatar of god.
The “miracles” he performed captivated his followers while also prompted scathing attacks from critics.
Sai Baba later focused his attention to social and charitable works that covered vital areas of ordinary life to many.
He had reportedly visited only two foreign countries – Uganda and Kenya.
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which runs several hospitals, educational institutions, drinking water projects and undertake other charitable works in India and abroad, is estimated to have movable and immovable assets of Rs.40,000 crore.
The trust members include former chief justice of India P.N. Bhagwati, former Indian Administrative Service officers K. Chakravarthi and S.V. Giri, chartered accountant turned entrepreneur Indulal Shah, Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motors and the Baba’s nephew R.J. Ratnakar.