Tribute paid to Sathya Sai in Pune

Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away on Sunday morning due to multiple organ failure in Puttaparthi, mourned the death of their spiritual guru and paid tributes to him in the city.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba had last visited Hadshi near Lonavla in Pune district on October 28, 2009.  Some of his devotees left Pune on Sunday night for his last darshan.

One of his devotees, Anil Takavle, who is associated with the Pune-based Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation said, “A few of us will be leaving for Prashanti Nilayam to have a last glimpse of our guru. There are about 2.5 lakh devotees associated with the organisation in the city.”

Though the devotees knew that there was no hope, they were still expecting a miracle.

Pune-based Kathak exponent, Nandkishor Kapote, is one of Sathya Sai Baba’s ardent admirers. He said his father had brought the spiritual leader’s photograph home.

His mother did not believe in the miracles of Sathya Sai Baba and therefore did not wish to keep it. The next day they saw vermilion on the photo while no one had put it.

“That was the first miracle. Later, I met him in 1960 and recently in 2009 when he visited Hadshi. I have always felt his presence. Once, when I was not well and had to do a dance show, I remembered him and all my pain was gone,” he said.

He said that Baba will always be with his devotees even if he is not physically present among them. Kapote said he has never missed performing a bhajan on Thursday as a prayer to Baba and would continue to do so. A condolence meeting was held at his Kathak academy in Nigdi.