Crowds of anxious devotees of Sai Baba, one of India’s most famous gurus who is on life-support in hospital, gathered in his home town yesterday to offer prayers for his recovery.
Sai Baba, an 85-year-old wild-haired Hindu spiritual leader with a following of millions across the world, is suffering from multiple problems including a heart condition, lung congestion and kidney failure.
The latest health bulletin yesterday said there had been “signs of improvement” in the functioning of his kidneys, but he remains on dialysis and a ventilator to help him breathe.
Photo: AFP
Well-wishers have converged on Puttaparthi, his hometown in southeast India, from nearby areas and abroad, many of them sleeping out in the open on pavements because of a lack of hotel rooms. Local shops, hotels and businesses have been shut for the past three days as a mark of respect.
Clusters of devotees could be seen praying for his recovery and singing hymns praising him.
“He has himself declared that he would be alive till his 96th year. And he can’t go wrong,” said 43-year-old Putta Rangaiah, a volunteer for one of Sai Baba’s organizations.
Sai Baba, a living god in the eyes of his followers, is credited with many supernatural powers, including an ability to conjure objects out of thin air, remember past lives and cure terminal diseases.
He counts former prime ministers and presidents, top businessmen and Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar among his followers, which are thought to -number tens of millions in more than 100 countries.
The present day Sai Baba claims to be the reincarnation of a former holy man, Sai Baba of Shirdi, who died in 1918.
His organization funds health and education projects in India, including a string of hospitals that claim to be able to cure ailments beyond the capabilities of mainstream medicine.
His charitable work has won him widespread acclaim and -respectability, but his reputation has also been damaged by allegations of sexual abuse and pedophilia.
Followers scoff at the allegations and have converged outside the hospital from well beyond India.
“People tell us that he will definitely come out of this difficult phase in a few days and give darshan [appear] to his devotees,” Claudia, a 37-year-old visitor from Italy, told said yesterday.
Sai Baba was hospitalized more than a week ago after complaining of giddiness.
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