Sathya Sai Baba dead, to be buried on Wednesday

Puttaparthi, Apr 24 (PTI) Indian Godman Sathya Sai
Baba, a cult like figure who attracted millions of followers,
including the influential, across the globe died on Sunday
after battling serious illness for nearly a month.
86-year-old Baba, whose clout ran far and wide but had
more than his own share of controversies, died at 7:40 AM
following multi-organ failure at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Medical Sciences founded by him in this backward
Anantapur district town in Andhra Pradesh, the place from
where he ran his spiritual empire.
"Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us
physically. He left His earthly body on April 24 at 7:40 AM
due to cardio-respiratory failure," Director A N Safaya,
Director of the Institute, said.
"Baba's body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant
Hall for two days -- Monday and Tuesday. Arrangements
will be made for darshan after 6:00 pm today at the Hall," he
said.
Baba will be buried at the Sai Kulwant Hall in
Prashanti Nilayam on Wednesday in line with the practice
adopted for spiritual leaders in India, contrary to the Hindu
custom of cremating bodies.
State Major Industries Minister J Geetha Reddy said
the members of Baba's family and the Sri Sathya Sai Central
Trust have decided that his burial will take place on
Wednesday morning. The exact time will be announced later.
Born as Sathyanarayana Raju in a humble backward caste
family in 1926, Baba emerged as one of the most popular godmen
in India in modern times. Initially he attracted attention
through acts like producing articles like sacred ash and
'lingam' which his detractors claimed was a sleight of hand,
but later he came to be known for his founding institutions of
learning and philanthropy.
Baba, who considered himself a reincarnation of Sai
Baba of Shirdi, was hospitalised on March 28 following
problems related to heart and respiration and had been lying
critical following multi-organ failure.
Surviving on ventilator support, his kidneys stopped
functioning and his health suffered deterioration a few days
ago when his liver also stopped functioning.
Police reinforcements were rushed to the town as VIPs
started descending on it but it was not clear as to the mode
of last rites for the Baba.
The Sai Baba leaves a big empire estimated from a
conservative figure of Rs 40,000 crore to a staggering Rs 1.5
lakh crores raising questions over who will manage the Trust.
However, Reddy, who has been camping here for the past
two weeks, said there is no controversy on the issue of trust
activitist.
Reddy said: "I have not seen any infighting. It is
just media creation. The trust activities will go on as usual.
The Sai Baba has put in place everything. He has taken care of
everything. He knew when he will leave his body."
"Baba has put in place everything, the whole
missionaries in-charge. All his activities will run as it is.
We have no suspicion about any differences over running the
trust," she said.
An array of personalities, including Vice President M
Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress
President Sonia Gandhi and BJP leaders L K Advani and Nitin
Gadkari, condoled the Baba's death, saying he was a spiritual
leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful
life.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and
Governor E S L Narasimhan rushed here from Hyderabad and paid
homage to the Baba.
Top-ranking politicians including prime ministers,
Union ministers, governors, chief ministers, filmstars,
sportspersons, industrialists and virtually the 'who's who' of
the country rank among the high-profile devotees of the Baba.
Puttaparthi - which metamorphosed into a
self-contained city - finds itself on the international map,
thanks to the large number of the Baba's foreign devotees who
visit Prasanthi Nilayam day in and day out. It boasts of an
exclusive airport where chartered flights, carrying Baba's
devotees from different parts of the globe, land.
Frequently, reports alleging scandals in his ashram
appeared. Questions were also raised over his sexual
preferences but they were dismissed by him and his followers
as vilification by his detractors or those who had fallen out
with him.
On June 6, 1993, an attempt was allegedly made on his
life by his close aides. Six inmates of Prasanthi Nilayam were
killed right inside the Baba's bedroom. All of them were part
of the "inner circle" of Baba. His personal assistant Radha
Krishna Menon was among those killed in the incident.
Facts of the case still remain a mystery.