Top political leaders, Bollywood personalities, sportsmen and lakhs of devotees are rushing to Puttaparthi to pay homage to Sathya Sai Baba. The spiritual leader passed away on Sunday. Sachin Tendulkar is expected to reach Puttaparthi today. Top politicians including BJP president Nitin Gadkari, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Karnataka chief minister B Yeddyurappa, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and Prajarajyam chief Chiranjeevi.
Sunil Gavaskar was there to pay his respects as well.
Sathya Sai's body was wrapped in a saffron-coloured cloth and kept in a glass casket in the ashram's central hall.
Prominent VIPs seated close to the casket were Andhra Pradesh health minister J Geetha Reddy, Ratnakar, Baba's nephew and son of his younger brother Janakiramaiah and Baba's personal caregiver Satyajit.
While thousands of devotees stood in serpentine queues through the night and early Monday outside Prashanti Nilayam for a glimpse of their 'god' Sathya Sai Baba lying in an air-conditioned glass casket, scores of VIPs, including politicians, celebrities, stars and top officials had the privilege to enter Kulwant Hall through the back door to see his frail body.
A stampede broke out outside the ashram late on Sunday night. No injuries were reported and police raised barricades to keep the crowds at bay.
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