27-04-2011- SAI NEWS PHOTOS & UPDATE - FINAL FAREWELL - last rites of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. - Prasanthi Nilayam - PUTTAPARTHI - INDIA

Swami we Love you Forever and Ever, You are always alive in our hearts... Home Daily updates with the latest Sai Baba News © Copyrights of text and images attributed to their respective owners       23rd April 24th April 25th April 26th April         Media Updates SBOI-group messages LIVE BROADCAST from Prasanthi Nilayam- Puttaparthi-   Sacred Photo: Holy & Divine Body of Sri Sathya Sai Baba lying in State at Sai Kulwant Hall        Sri Sathya Sai Baba Final Farewell Video - 27-04-2011 Wed, April 27, 2011: Baba would be laid to rest in the pit (7ft deep and 12ft length), which was dug up 10ft behind from where his body was placed in the glass casket in the hall since Sunday evening.   "The body would be lowered in the pit and filled with 'Kuruskshetra' matti (soil), salt, silver, gold and navaratnas," sources said. The body would be kept in the sleeping position in the samadhi.   click to enlarge R J Ratnakar, Swami's nephew and trustee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Central Trust, performing the last rites of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. - 27-04-2011 However, Prasanthi Nilayam would be out of bounds for devotees during the maha samadhi. Only key family members and Sai Central Trust members would take part in the last rites.   Ashram Devotees carry the body of  Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba The construction of a memorial and fixing of a golden statue of Baba would be planned in a few days time. Though Baba preached universal brotherhood and embraced all religions, his last rites will be performed as per the Hindu tradition.     Tue, April 26, 2011: Updated Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 1700 Hrs. IST Prime Minister pays homage to Beloved Bhagawan... Prime Minister of India, along with scores of diginitaries, that included UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Miniters, SM Krishna, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, Governor and Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, EVL Narasimhan and Kiran Kumar Reddy respectively flew down to Parthi to pay homage to Beloved Bhagawan. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh  and Congress president Sonia Gandhi  pay their last respects to Sri Sathya Sai Baba inside Sai Kulwant hall, Prashanthi Nilayam Arriving in a chartered flight from Delhi, the Prime Minister and his entourage arrived at the Sai Kulwant shortly after 1700 hrs. to spent ten minutes offering homage. He even chose to speak to senior Trust officials in Prasanthi Nilayam, Former Chief Justice PN Bhagvati and SV Giri, formerly Chief Election Commissioner of India. Congress president Sonia Gandhi  pays her last respects to Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba inside Prashanthi Nilayam Puttaparthi Other dignitaries visited Prasanthi this morning included Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, Vishwa Hindu Pardishad leader Ashok Singhal, Swami Nityananda of Nithyananda Peetam, former Sri Lankan Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga.     Updated Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 1700 Hrs. IST As the clock ticks leading into the stipulated hour, before the final darshan possible this evening, there is palpable tension in Prasanthi with every heart and soul weeping within, embarcing the fate, geared up to give a final good-bye to The Lord of Parthi, her Beloved, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. click to enlarge While the unending stream of devotees continue even at this declared final hour, unless an extension comes by, there is a security cordon in Puttaparthi this evening as Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are expected anytime to pay homage to Beloved Bhagawan. The Prime Minister had visited Puttaparthi twice earlier, as Chief of Annual Convocation for the 69th Birthday followed by during the latest convocation, as recently as in November 2010 on the occasion of 85th Birthday of Beloved Bhagawan.   Devotees stand in a queue to pay their last respects to the BHAGAWAN Sri Sathya Sai Baba It had been a case of rejoicement, great merriment for Parthi, over and over again, welcoming The Lord every morning and evening and even during His staying away at Bangalore or Kodaikanal, welcoming her Beloved back to her precincts, every time when He returned. It is indeed hard for this privileged land to bid fare-well to this most 'loving persona', Who lived a life sticking to His preaching. His Life has always been His Message and it is time for everyone who loves Him to follow the path shown by Him, and the legacy left behind by the Sri Sathy Sai Avatar. Lead Kindly Light, Oh! Beloved Lord! With Sai devotees continuing to surge into the Puttparthi to offer their homage to the Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, authorities on Tuesday extended the final darshan timing till midnight.  Inspector General (Rayalaseema Region) Santosh Mehra said the darshan timing, which was to end at 6.00 pm today, has been extended till about midnight.  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna are among the VVIPs who are expected to visit the town - Puttparthi this evening to offer their tributes to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Devotees sit beside the body of BHAGAWAN Sri Sathya Sai Baba inside Sai Kulwant hall Sai Baba would be buried in the Sai Kulwanth Hall here with full state honours between 9.00 and 9.30 am tomorrow...

Mon, April 25, 2011: Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Prasanthi News: In to the second day of the sudden jolt, after enduring the separation of Her Beloved in the physical sense, the township is gripped in sorrow as pall of gloom descended on Puttaparthi.  Lakhs and lakhs of devotees are streaming into the Ashram, in unending lines, day and night, to have a priceless glimpse of The Lord who enthralled millions over millions during His earthly sojourn that spanned over eight and a half decade, with His Divine Darshan!     Devotees gather near the body of Sri Sathya Sai Baba during a public viewing at the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in Puttaparthi, Frenzy gripped the township with then unexpcted turn of event, and Prasanthi Nilayam, that has been the cynosure of eyes for all the epochal spiritual happenings over the years, is once again in the limelight,,this time for a different reason, the sudden departure of her Beloved Lord. Continue reading - more photos

Sun, April 24, 2011: Evening  {Morning & Afternoon - update & photos} Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Prasanthi News:

As announced, Bhagawan's physical frame was brought into the Sai Kulwant Hall after 1815 hrs., in a glass case, in a procession led by Vedic chanting and bhajans by students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning....continue reading