Sathya Sai Baba's Puttaparthi losing its glory?

Mumbai, Jul 29: The famous Puttaparthi, the spiritual centre of Sathya Sai Baba seems to be losing its trance after the demise of Baba.

It is assumed that at least 30,000 foreigners cancelled their trips to Puttaparthi, many mainly businessmen from Nepal, Kashmir, Tibet, Gujarat and carrying out their businesses for decades. The businessmen settled there are worried about the decline in the number of visitor's and are unable to pay their monthly rents. Real estate business has also suffered after the demise of the spritual leader with people no more willing to buy lands.

Tourism has come down by 50%, while, Rs 300 crore has slugged in the real estate business.

“Foreigners used to flock the town round the year and purchase Indian idols and handicrafts without bargaining for prices. The drop in tourists has crippled our business and we plan to return to our native places," said Mustaq, president, Kashmir Traders" Welfare Association.

Visitors from Germany, Italy, UK, USA and Russia used to gather in large numbers at Prashanti Nilayam to celebrate Guru Pournami ever year.

OneIndia News