PUTTAPARTHI, India — Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most famous gurus, died in hospital on Sunday, triggering a global outpouring of grief and tributes from devotees across politics, sport and entertainment.
He was 85 and finally succumbed to heart problems after being in a critical condition for more than three weeks, his doctors said.
Thousands of Hindu followers massed at the Institute of Higher Medical Sciences hospital where Sai Baba had been treated in his hometown of Puttaparthi, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Police used barriers to hold back mourning crowds, and appealed for public calm after the death was announced.
"Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He breathed his last at 7:40 am and died due to cardio-respiratory failure," a statement from the hospital said. "His body will be kept for public worship for two days on Monday and Tuesday."
Devotees had congregated in the town over recent weeks to hold special prayers asking for a miracle to allow Sai Baba to recover.
He 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.
He counted former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, judges, actors, generals and politicians as followers, as well as Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and Hollywood star Goldie Hawn.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Indian nation would deeply mourn the death of Sai Baba, who "was an inspiration to people of all faiths."
"He was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice," Singh said, adding that the guru taught "the universal ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence."
Tendulkar had said on his Twitter page Sunday that he was praying for Sai Baba's health and asked others to join him.
The guru claimed to be the reincarnation of a former holy man, Sai Baba of Shirdi, who died in 1918.
His organisation has funded health and education projects in India, including hospitals and clinics that say they are able to cure ailments beyond the capabilities of mainstream medicine.
From his ashram in Puttaparthi, he built an empire of schools and centres that spread his influence worldwide.
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Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php/latest/6769-grief-and-tributes-from-devotees-of-sathya-sai-baba
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