Nearly two months after the demise of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, the trust managing his empire Tuesday decided to open Yajur Mandir, his personal chamber in Prashanti Nilayam ashram at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district.
As the speculation continued about what was inside, the Sathya Sai Central Trust decided to open the locks soon. The decision was taken at the meeting of the trust in the pilgrim town of Puttaparthi.
Trust member and former chief justice of India P.N. Bhagwati said the trust would open Yajur Mandir and declare what they find inside. He appealed to Sathya Sai Baba’s followers to have faith in him and other members of the trust.
Bhagwati, the most famous and respected of the five trustees, assured the devotees that the trust would do everything to protect the property of Sathya Sai Baba.
Yajur Mandir, also known as Yajurveda Mandir, has remained closed ever since Sathya Sai Baba was hospitalised March 28.
The keys to this personal chamber of the Baba were with his caretaker Satyajit, who later handed these over to the trust after Sathya Sai Baba’s death April 24.
There are speculations that the chamber contained huge quantities of gold, jewellery and cash donated by devotees from across the world.
A section of devotees also alleged that valuables were taken out of Prashanti Nilayam when Sathya Sai Baba was battling for life. However, the trust has denied this.
The trust at its meeting held last month could not take a decision on the issue as Bhagwati could not attend it. He is believed to have given legal opinion at Tuesday’s meeting.
The issue of opening Yajur Mandir has also taken a political overtone with former minister and opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader D. Nagireddy demanding that the locks be opened only in the presence of devotees.