Sathya Sai Baba's body will be buried tomorrow in line with the practice for spiritual leaders in India.
Thousands of grieving devotees yesterday filed past the body of Sathya Sai Baba, who was followed by politicians, Bollywood actors and sport stars alike. Sai Baba's corpse was displayed in a transparent casket at his ashram in Puttaparthi, a village in Southeast India that was transformed into a major pilgrimage centre during his life.
Followers wept as they bid farewell to their spiritual leader, who died aged 85 of multiple organ failure on Sunday morning after spending three weeks in hospital.
moreLong queues of locals and visitors who had descended on Puttaparthi to pray for Sai Baba's recovery formed outside the ashram, waiting hours in the heat for the chance to see him one last time. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the nation would deeply mourn the death of a man who "was an inspiration to people of all faiths."
"He was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life," Singh said.
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan led Bollywood's tributes, calling Sai Baba" a saint, a generous soul, a builder of society."
Sai Baba's organisation funds health and education projects in India, including hospitals and clinics that say they cure ailments beyond the capabilities of mainstream medicine.
From his ashram, he established schools and centres that spread his influence worldwide.
Puttaparthi grew to boast a university and even an airport as Westerners, Indian students and the destitute clamoured to be close to a man they saw as a living god.
AFP
