Baba's last rites performed with full State Honours

The last rites of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba were conducted with full State Honours at Prashanti Nilayam here on Wednesday morning amidst the chanting of prayers of all major religions. 

The ceremonies began at 9 am in Sai Kulwant Hall, where the Baba used to give 'darshan' to devotees and deliver discourses. 

As the rituals began inside, policemen outside Prashanti Nilayam gave a gun salute.

Baba's nephew RJ Ratnakar led the rituals and sprinkled holy water on the mortal remains of the seer before he was buried. 

Only 600 select people, including the family members of the godman, members and officials of Sathya Sai Central Trust, his close disciples and VIPs, were allowed inside the Kulwanth Hall during the last rites.

The rites were however broadcast live on various television channels.

Earlier, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) LK Advani, Punjab Governor Shirvraj Patil, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL  Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, former chief minister N  Chandrababu Naidu and several Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka paid their last respects. 

Thousands of devotes had last 'darshan' of Baba till midnight of Tuesday.

The 85-year-old guru died on Sunday, 28 days after he was admitted to hospital with multi-organ dysfunction.

Since then, the body has been kept in Prashanti Nilayam to enable people to pay their last respects.

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.

The spiritual guru had become famous in the early stages of his youth for his ability to perform miracles. He later devoted his vast influence and the huge donations made by his devotees across the world to philanthropic activities.

The godman founded institutions of excellence in education and medical facilities besides undertaking development work and philanthropy.

Around 40 minutes after the last rites began, the curtains which had covered the burial spot were removed minutes for the people to have a glimpse of the ‘samadhi’ where his body was laid to rest in line with the practice adopted for Hindu spirital leaders.

Earlier, a little before 9 AM, the glass casket in which Sai Baba’s body was kept from the time he was shifted from the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences was removed and the body was wrapped in national tri colour for a brief while.

Water from sacred rivers from all over the country were sprinkled on Sai Baba’s body along with cow urine. Honey, ghee and silk were given as gifts to priests.

After the last rites finished, people who had been waiting at the hall rushed to have a look at the samadhi, which was open for public viewing after 11.45 AM.