Sathya Sai Baba's death at the age of 85

Bollywood stars, filmmakers and designers joined thousands of devotees in India and abroad in expressing grief at the death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba Sunday.

Sathya Sai Baba died after a prolonged illness in Andhra Pradesh's Puttaparthi town at the age of 85.

“Sai Baba RIP. My condolences to all his followers,” actor R. Madhavan posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Sai Baba, who was 86, breathed his last at 7.40 AM at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, its Director A N Safaya said in a bulletin on Sunday.

“Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left his earthly body on April 24, 2011 at 7:40 AM due to cardio-respiratory failure,” it said.

The body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant Hall for two days — Monday and Tuesday, it said, adding that arrangements will be made for darshan after 6:00 pm Sunday at the Hall.“We appeal to all not to rush to the hospital, but to remain calm and have Darshan in an orderly manner,” it said.