Sathya Sai Baba’s mortal remains will be kept inside a Maha Samadhi Forever from where Sai Baba used to address and Bless his disciples here in Sai Kulwanth Hall of Prashanti Nilayam at Puttaparthi.
Though many debated the body should be kept in 'Padmasana' Position which is the preferred position of saints and gurus, the body was kept in a sleeping position in the samadhi amid chanting of vedic mantras.The private funeral ceremony attended by trust members, close family members and other VVIPs.Priests of all the religions performed prayers here in Kulwant hall as baba was lover of all the religions,Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish priests read out their respective scriptures before the rituals began around 9 a.m. A group of disciples of Tibetan Buddhist leader Dalai Lama also attended the last rites. Baba was buried with full state honors ,The buglers sounded the Last Post and policemen fired three shots in a gun salute outside the hall. A general salute was also offered by the men in uniform. when placing the national flag on the coffin of baba, people clapped and chanted the name of baba .The body was lowered in the pit , filled with `Kuruskshetra' matti (soil), salt, silver, gold and Navaratnas other holy material,Later covered by ash.
The Maha Samadhi ceremony was commenced at 9 am and was completed by 10 am.Later Curtains were raised for the viewers for the glimpes of Baba's maha Samadhi,from now Baba would bless his disciples from here . Organisers bought holy water from the sacred rivers of Narmada, Sindhu, Cauvery, Godavari, Ganga and Jamuna the process included all elements of nature in the form of Saptha Nadi (seven rivers), navaratna (nine gems), navadaana (giving of nine gifts) and sugandha dravya (perfumeries).The rituals were carried out by 18 priests headed by Kandukoori Kondavadhani from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. They were joined by priests from Kashi and nine other peethas across the country.Sathya Sai Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakar performed the last rites on Sai’s body amidst chanting of Sai name by thousands of devotees.
Central trust member's are planning to install a huge gold statue of Sai Baba at the Samadhi.It is said Sai’s radiant face, in the form of an idol, will continue to grace visitors and devotees from where he blessed lakhs of devotees and spread love and peace for decades.Earlier due heavy rush of Visitors the timings of darshan of the mortal remains of Sai Baba was extended till Tuesday midnight.
Lets end this article with a quote by Sathya sai baba himself
LOVE lives by giving and forgiving. Self lives by getting and forgetting - Baba
Lets end this article with a quote by Sathya sai baba himself
LOVE lives by giving and forgiving. Self lives by getting and forgetting - Baba
Also read Sai baba's Seva programs
