Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 86th birth anniversary is being celebrated today on Wednesday 23 November 2011 at Prashanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi. Devotees had started pouring into the town last week, the first time since his demise in April. The week-long celebrations began last Friday with Rathothsavam, attended by a large number of pilgrims. As a prelude to the celebrations, a 24-hour continuous devotional singing was held on November 13.

Sathya Sai Central Trust, which manages the vast spiritual empire, has made elaborate arrangements for the event at Prashanti Nilayam, which houses the samadhi of Sai Baba. Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah is expected to attend the birth anniversary celebrations today. President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended the last birthday celebrations of the spiritual leader. Sathya Sai Baba died on April 25 this year at the age of 85.

This is the first birthday anniversary being celebrated without Baba and this has left an indelible mark on the festivities. Devotees are sad that they can no more have the special darshan Baba used to give them on this day. The conspicuous absence of Sathya Sai Baba has turned the event into a lack-lustre affair.
 

Video Source: snehatv.com