The mortal remains of Sri Satya Sai Baba will be laid to rest with full state honours at Sai Kulvant Hall in Prasanti Nilayam on Wednesday.
Baba’s last rites will performed between 9 am and 9.30 am as per Hindu rites and caste rituals. He will be buried in the same place where he used to address his devotees and give darshan for so many years. After the burial, a samadhi will be constructed for devotees to pay obeisance.
The location of the samadhi has been finalised by family members in consultation with Vedic pundits and Vaastu experts, it is learnt.
Mr R.J. Ratnakar; the Baba’s nephew and a trustee of the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust, said that the darshan will resume after 12 noon on Wednesday and go on till April 29.
Viewing of the last rites will be restricted to the 1,500-odd special invitees led by the governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, the chief minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Baba’s close relatives, Satya Sai trustees and those connected with the Sai organisations.
“Baba’s family members, about 100 government representatives and 1,500-odd Sai trust and organisation members have been permitted to attend the last rites,” Mr Palle Raghunath Reddy, local MLA disclosed. It is learnt the marking of the burial place was done in the early hours of Tuesday at around 3.35 am. Holy water and soil from rivers across the country have been brought down to Puttaparthi.
Meanwhile, Swami Nityananda, the notorious spiritual guru who was caught in a sex scandal in Bengaluru, created a flutter in Prashanti Nilayam on Tuesday when he arrived to pay his respects to the mortal remains of Baba.
Lanky Nityananda made a dramatic appearance at the VVIP entrance of the Sai Kulavant hall, semi-clad in ochre robes, escorted by two attendants. As Nityananda approached Baba’s casket, he was the cynosure of all eyes and the shutterbugs were galvanised into activity. For a few minutes there was a commotion in the hall. Sai Seva dal volunteers stopped Nityananda and asked him to enter from the other side.
The Swami’s escorts pleaded with volunteers, but they were adamant.
After much cajoling, the Sai Seva dal allowed Nityananda to have a quick darshan. After the darshan, Nityananda lingered in the area for 10 minutes before he left.
Nityanand Dhanyapeetam, headed by the swami, recalled the exceptional spiritual and humanitarian service rendered by Baba to the world.
“Although he is no longer in the body, Baba’s grace and blessings will continue to shower on all devotees always,” he said.