PUTTAPARTI, India — Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba, revered by millions worldwide, died Sunday after nearly a month of hospital treatment near his southern Indian ashram. He was 84.
The news brought an outpouring of grief from his followers, including high Indian officials, who remembered him as a pious person who worked selflessly to help others with the billions of dollars donated to his charitable trust.
Sai Baba had a huge following, with ashrams in more than 126 countries and devotees in India including high-placed politicians, movie stars, world-class athletes and industrialists.
He was said to perform miracles, conjuring jewelry, Rolex watches and “vibhuti” — a sacred ash that his followers applied to their foreheads — from his halo of wild, frizzy hair.
But rationalist critics led campaigns against him, calling him a charlatan and his miracles fake. Several news reports alleged that he sexually abused devotees — accusations he denied as vilification campaigns.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to pay last respects in Puttaparti, where a funeral with state honors is planned Wednesday morning.
