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Indian women sit in front of a picture of Indian spiritual leader Sai Baba as they offer prayers at the Sri Satya Sai Baba temple in Amritsar Saturday. Photo: AFP Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most famous gurus, died on Sunday, triggering a global outpouring of grief and tributes from devotees across politics, sport and entertainment. He was 85 and finally succumbed to multiple organ failure 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. "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. The statement said that his body would be kept for public worship for two days today and tomorrow. Devotees had congregated in the town over recent weeks to hold special prayers asking for a miracle to allow Sai Baba to recover. Instantly recognizable for his wild curly hair and saffron robes, he was followed by politicians, judges and generals in India as well as cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, Hollywood star Goldie Hawn and legions of the poor. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the nation would deeply mourn the death of Sai Baba, who "was an inspiration to people of all faiths." The guru claimed to be the reincarnation of a former holy man, Sai Baba of Shirdi, who died in 1918. His organization 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 established schools and centers that spread his influence worldwide. As well as hospitals and clinics, the Sai Baba organization operates drinking water schemes, a museum, a planetarium and an international network of prayer rooms. 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 criticized for lack of transparency, is uncertain and some observers predict a power struggle among his closest aides. AFP |
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