THOUSANDS of grieving devotees today filed past the body of Sathya Sai Baba, a hugely popular Indian guru 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 Andhra Pradesh, 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 (April 24) morning after spending three weeks in hospital.
Long 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.
Police reinforcements from across Andhra Pradesh state were on duty and crowd barriers were erected to control mourners angry that dignitaries were being ushered ahead to view the body.
“Many VIPs are allowed to see our god quickly without standing in line, while we have to wait hours to enter the hall,” complained Ramesh Kumar, 38, a teacher from Chennai.
Sai Baba was credited by millions of followers across the globe with having supernatural powers, including an ability to conjure objects out of thin air, remember past lives and cure terminal diseases.
Instantly recognisable for his wild curly hair and saffron robes, he was followed by judges and generals in India as well as cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, Hollywood star Goldie Hawn and legions of the poor.
Indian Prime Minister Dr 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,” Dr 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.
At public meetings, his showman antics in which he would miraculously produce gold coins or watches on stage brought him both fame and notoriety, with critics accusing him of being a fraudster.
He also faced allegations of sexual abuse of young male followers, which his opponents said were ignored by Indian authorities due to his power and popularity.
The future of Sai Baba’s hugely wealthy trust, which is funded by donations and has been criticised for a lack of transparency, is uncertain and some observers predict a power struggle among his closest aides.
His body will be buried on Wednesday (April 27) in line with the practice for spiritual leaders in India in contrast to the regular Hindu custom of cremation.
