Maharishi Mahesh Yogi cremated with state honour

Allahabad, Feb 11 (UNI) The body of the internationally acclaimed spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who spread Indian spirituality and knowledge through his system of transcendental meditation worldwide, was cremated at the holy city today.

Thousands of devotees attended the last rites of the Maharishi.

The body of the spiritual guru was cremated with state honour in a half constructed Rigveda temple. His nephew Brahmchari Girish Verma lit the pyre in 'abhijeet muhurat'.

According to the wish of the late Maharishi, all the arrangements of his funeral were made under the guidance of Shankaracharya Vasudevanand Saraswati.

Maharishi's body was robed in shimmering white silk, while a group of nine young priests chanted vedic mantras.

According to vedic tradition, 'shodashi' ceremony would be observed inspite of 'trayodashi' ceremony on February 20.

A large number of devotees converged at the funeral, including VHP international president Ashok Singhal, city Mayor Jitendra Nath Singh, Swami Hansdas, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Justices Girdhar Malviya and S N Srivastava, Rita Joshi and others.

The mortal remains of the spiritual guru were brought at Arail Ashram here on Saturday. His successors Tony Nadaar and Girish Verma, along with 60 others, had brought the body from Holland.

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