Thousands of tearful devotees, including top politicians, gathered today for the funeral of Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s best-known Hindu ascetics revered as a divine incarnation with miraculous healing powers.

SATHYA SAI BABA, one of India’s most famous gurus, died in hospital yesterday, triggering a global outpouring of grief and tributes from devotees across politics, sport and entertainment.

Indian Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba, considered a living god by followers, has died. He was 86.