Tainted Swami Nithyananda's followers go on fast, pray for guru's early release

Followers of Swami Nithyananda today commenced a two-day hunger strike and prayed for the release of the self-styled godman, arrested on criminal charges, including rape.

The Nirahara Prarthana which started at 7am with Nithya Dhyaan meditation and guru pooja followed by worship under an ancient banyan tree was held at Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam's ashram at Bidadi near Bangalore.

A day-long 'purascharana' (chanting), meditation and 'aarati' are also being performed in the Anandeshwara temple in the ashram, a release from Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam said.

Other devotees also joined the prayer at various 'satsang' centres in their respective areas.
    
The Nirahara Prarthana is also being observed at Nithyananda's Vedic Temples in the US, and by followers in Malaysia, Singapore and other places worldwide, it said.

Devotees who did not have access to a satsang centre joined them in the prayer from their homes.

The hearing on the bail plea of Nithyananda, who has been in custody since April 21, is slated to come up before Karnataka high court on June 8.

Nithyananda landed in a controversy in March after local TV channels aired purported video footage showing him in a compromising position with a Tamil actress. After remaining elusive, he was arrested from Solan in Himachal Pradesh on
April 21.