ID :
178404
Wed, 04/27/2011 - 21:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/178404
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Sai Baba laid to rest
Vikram Vasant Rao & Desaraju Suryanarayana
Puttaparthi, April 27 (PTI) Sathya Sai Baba, who had a
phenomenal following across the globe with his message of
universal love and brotherhood, was bid adieu at a solemn
ceremony on Wednesday when he was laid to rest at the very
spot from where he used to meet and address his disciples for
years.
The Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode
from where Sai Baba ran a spiritual empire, reverberated with
hymns from the vedas and chants of "Om Sai Ram" as the last
rites were performed by the Baba's nephew R J Ratnakar.
The Kurnool Battalion of Andhra Pradesh Special Police
presented a 21-gun salute as a mark of respect to the
spiritual leader for whom the government declared a state
funeral.
Watched by a galaxy of political personalities
including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka chief ministers N Kiran
Kumar Reddy and BS Yeddyurappa, Governors ESL Narasimhan and
Shivraj V Patil, BJP leaders LK Advani, M Venkaiah Naidu,
Bandaru Dattatreya, former AP chief minister N Chandrababu
Naidu and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and
hundreds of his followers, Sai Baba's body was laid to rest
amidst chanting of "Sai" mantras.
Once the last rites were performed by vedic pandits,
red curtains were drawn around 9:45 am and the process started
for laying the body in a pit created at the spot in Sai
Kulwant where he used to make his preachings for his followers
for a number of years.
Navratnas were placed in Sai Baba's mouth while
'vibhudi' (sacred ash) and cow milk were sprinkled on his
body. Priests from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru
conducted the process that lasted about 25 minutes.
The spot where he was buried is now expected to become
an eternal memorial for Sai Baba, who at the age of 14
announced himself as a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.
He made his mark initially with miracles but later
founded institutions of excellence in education and medical
facilities besides undertaking development work and
philanthropy.
Sai Baba died on Sunday morning after fighting illness
for nearly a month caused by multi-organ failure.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress
President Sonia Gandhi, political leaders from various
parties, chief ministers and personalities from various fields
including cricket and films had visited Puttaparthi in the
last two days to pay their homage.
An estimated five lakh people from various parts of
the country and abroad had filed past the body to have a final
glimpse of their spiritual guru.
The curtains were removed after 40 minutes for the
people to have a glimpse of the 'samadhi' where the body was
laid to rest in line with the practice adopted for Hindu
spiritual leaders. Normally, Hindus cremate their bodies.
Governor Narasimhan, Chief Ministers Reddy and
Yeddyurappa, Advani, Chandra Babu Naidu and other leaders went
to the samadhi, had a word with Ratnakar and sprinkled sacred
ash at the spot as a mark of final respect.
Earlier, at 8.55 am, the national tri-colour was
placed for a brief while on the glass casket in which Sai
Baba's body was lying in state from Sunday night.
Men of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police sounded the
last post and fired three shots in the air as a mark of
respect.
Prior to this, verses from Hindu, Christian, Islamic,
Sikh, Judaism and Buddhist scriptures were read out by leaders
from these sects. Later, they joined in sprinkling the sacred
ash at the samadhi spot as 'mangal aarti' was performed.
With Sai Baba's body draped in his favourite saffron
robe, the last rites were performed by Ratnakar, who wept
inconsolably, while priests recited vedic chants.
Ratnakar is a member of the powerful Sathya Sai
Central Trust, estimated to be in possession of wealth to the
tune of Rs 40,000 crore, and is believed to be a contender in
the race to head the trust.
Water from sacred rivers from all over the country
were sprinkled on Sai Baba's body along with cow milk. A Cow
and calf, honey, ghee and silk were given as gifts to priests
as per custom.
After the ceremony was over, people queued up once
again to have a look at the samadhi, which was opened for
public viewing after 11.35 am.The samadhi darshan will
continue till the 29th.
Puttaparthi, April 27 (PTI) Sathya Sai Baba, who had a
phenomenal following across the globe with his message of
universal love and brotherhood, was bid adieu at a solemn
ceremony on Wednesday when he was laid to rest at the very
spot from where he used to meet and address his disciples for
years.
The Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode
from where Sai Baba ran a spiritual empire, reverberated with
hymns from the vedas and chants of "Om Sai Ram" as the last
rites were performed by the Baba's nephew R J Ratnakar.
The Kurnool Battalion of Andhra Pradesh Special Police
presented a 21-gun salute as a mark of respect to the
spiritual leader for whom the government declared a state
funeral.
Watched by a galaxy of political personalities
including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka chief ministers N Kiran
Kumar Reddy and BS Yeddyurappa, Governors ESL Narasimhan and
Shivraj V Patil, BJP leaders LK Advani, M Venkaiah Naidu,
Bandaru Dattatreya, former AP chief minister N Chandrababu
Naidu and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and
hundreds of his followers, Sai Baba's body was laid to rest
amidst chanting of "Sai" mantras.
Once the last rites were performed by vedic pandits,
red curtains were drawn around 9:45 am and the process started
for laying the body in a pit created at the spot in Sai
Kulwant where he used to make his preachings for his followers
for a number of years.
Navratnas were placed in Sai Baba's mouth while
'vibhudi' (sacred ash) and cow milk were sprinkled on his
body. Priests from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru
conducted the process that lasted about 25 minutes.
The spot where he was buried is now expected to become
an eternal memorial for Sai Baba, who at the age of 14
announced himself as a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.
He made his mark initially with miracles but later
founded institutions of excellence in education and medical
facilities besides undertaking development work and
philanthropy.
Sai Baba died on Sunday morning after fighting illness
for nearly a month caused by multi-organ failure.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress
President Sonia Gandhi, political leaders from various
parties, chief ministers and personalities from various fields
including cricket and films had visited Puttaparthi in the
last two days to pay their homage.
An estimated five lakh people from various parts of
the country and abroad had filed past the body to have a final
glimpse of their spiritual guru.
The curtains were removed after 40 minutes for the
people to have a glimpse of the 'samadhi' where the body was
laid to rest in line with the practice adopted for Hindu
spiritual leaders. Normally, Hindus cremate their bodies.
Governor Narasimhan, Chief Ministers Reddy and
Yeddyurappa, Advani, Chandra Babu Naidu and other leaders went
to the samadhi, had a word with Ratnakar and sprinkled sacred
ash at the spot as a mark of final respect.
Earlier, at 8.55 am, the national tri-colour was
placed for a brief while on the glass casket in which Sai
Baba's body was lying in state from Sunday night.
Men of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police sounded the
last post and fired three shots in the air as a mark of
respect.
Prior to this, verses from Hindu, Christian, Islamic,
Sikh, Judaism and Buddhist scriptures were read out by leaders
from these sects. Later, they joined in sprinkling the sacred
ash at the samadhi spot as 'mangal aarti' was performed.
With Sai Baba's body draped in his favourite saffron
robe, the last rites were performed by Ratnakar, who wept
inconsolably, while priests recited vedic chants.
Ratnakar is a member of the powerful Sathya Sai
Central Trust, estimated to be in possession of wealth to the
tune of Rs 40,000 crore, and is believed to be a contender in
the race to head the trust.
Water from sacred rivers from all over the country
were sprinkled on Sai Baba's body along with cow milk. A Cow
and calf, honey, ghee and silk were given as gifts to priests
as per custom.
After the ceremony was over, people queued up once
again to have a look at the samadhi, which was opened for
public viewing after 11.35 am.The samadhi darshan will
continue till the 29th.
