Godmen handled differently: Nithyananda drama at Puttaparthi

Puttaparthi, Apr 27: Controversy-ridden Nithyananda suddenly became the talk of the town at Sai Baba's hometown Puttaparthi. Sai Baba's devotees witnessed a rare drama where a self-proclaimed "godman" received a bash from the Sathya Sai Seva Dal volunteers. [

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Along with thousands of devotees of Sathya Sai, Nithyananda on Tuesday, Apr 26 reached Puttaparthi to pay his homage to Sai Baba. Nithyananda was not allowed inside the Prashanthi Nilayam where Sai Baba's body was laid for last three days.

Eyewitnesses said that Nithyananda's presence was completely ignored by Sai Baba's family members and devotees. He was also not allowed to enter the Sai Kulwanth Hall through the VVIP entrance.

"It seemed like Baba's family members and the security guards at the VVIP entrance were not at all prepared for something like this." eyewitnesses were quoted as saying.

However, with the intervention of an elderly Seva Dal devotee, Nithyananda was allowed to enter for dharshan. Though he made a swift exit.

On Wednesday, Apr 27, the last rites of Sai Baba has been completed. The private funeral ceremony was attended by trust members, close family members and other VVIPs. He was buried with full state honours and the last rites were conducted as per Hindu tradition. A source within the Prashanthi Nilayam has been quoted as saying, "The body would be lowered in the pit and filled with Kuruskshetra' matti (soil), salt, silver, gold and navaratnas."

The rituals were carried out by 18 priests which was headed by Kandukoori Kondavadhani from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. Priests from Kashi and nine other peethas across the country also joined them. The last rites were performed by R J Ratnakar, Baba's nephew and an integral part of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Central Trust.

OneIndia News