Indian spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been buried with state honours during a funeral ceremony attended by thousands.The 84-year-old was buried in his Hindu spiritual centre in southern India where his body has been on display for the last three days. The funeral was a state event and as the ceremony began soldiers fired a 21-gun salute.Thousands of people lined the streets outside the centre, watching the ceremony on large television screens as the event was broadcast live.
Religious leaders from different faiths, including a Christian priest and a Muslim imam, spoke to the crowd prior to the funeral. Among those paying their respects were Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and cricket star Sachin Tendulkar. The burial itself was held in private, attended by close family and friends.
Hindus usually cremate their dead but people considered holy are buried. Sathya Sai Baba died on Sunday of heart and lung failure after about a month in hospital.
The guru's religious estate is believed to be worth an estimated £6bn.He was not married and had no children.
VIDEOThe guru's religious estate is believed to be worth an estimated £6bn.He was not married and had no children.