Less than three months after the demise of Sathya Sai Baba, his “mahasamadhi,” a rectangular marble-clad edifice, was unveiled at a solemn function at the Prashanthi Nilayam here on Friday.
It is located exactly at the place where Sai Baba used to give darshan and was later buried after his demise on April 24 – the centre of the semi-circular porch of the Yajur Mandir at the southern end of Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam.
At 8 a.m., the curtains covering the “mahasamadhi” parted, revealing the edifice made of green and white marble, amidst the singing of Vedic hymns and chants of “Sai Ram” by devotees.
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It is a 9 ft. X 6 ft. structure and 2 ft. 2 inches high, which sits on larger marble platform of 21 ft. X 12 ft. dimensions.
Two large pillars supporting the porch roof were also clad with white marble and tastefully decorated. The remaining floor area of the porch has been redone in white marble.
The two flanks of the porch have been remade with deep green marble with a white marble border. A portrait of Sai Baba with lamps on either side formed the background.
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Festive look
For the first time after several weeks, Puttaparthi wore a festive look, draped in myriad colours of flowers that decorated shops en route to the Prasanthi Nilayam.
The inauguration of the “mahasamadhi” began with the recital of Vedas around 7.30 a.m., while the magnificient Sai Kulwant Hall – core area of the complex was filled to the brim with devotees.
Two priests performed “aarti” at the “mahasamadhi” and after that people were allowed to have a closer look.
All the members of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and members of the Managing Council were present.
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Major Industries J. Geetha Reddy and Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal also attended the function.