Jagraon, India - The head of the Nanaksar sect was cremated at Nanaksar Kaleran near here today. Thousands of followers bid adieu to Sant Baba Sadhu Singh. He passed away on May 15 after a brief illness.
His followers are spread all over the world and had visited India to have his last glimpse. Baba Lakha Singh, the head sewadars and heir of Sant Baba Sadhu Singh, lit the pyre as per traditions. Though all previous heads of this sect were buried at Hari Ke Pattan, he had wished to be cremated at Nanaksar Kaleran after death. Baba Lakha Singh said bhog ceremony will be held on May 24.
Born in 1921 in Pakistan, Baba Sadhu Singh had reached the Nanaksar Gurdwara when he was 15 years old. Baba Nand Singh sent him to Sant Baba Harnam Singh of Bhucho Mandi for religious education. He returned to Nanaksar and spent his life here serving the gurdwara and preaching Sikhism. Lakhs of Sikhs were baptised by him.
He served the Nanaksar Gurdwara for the last more than 73 years. Baba Sadhu Singh had served Sant Baba Nand Singh who had established this sect. Later on he had also served Sant Baba Ishar Singh for 35 years since 1963.
A number of devotees today thronged the Nanaksar Gurdwara to attend the funeral of Baba Sadhu Singh. Chief Minister, Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur, Darshan Singh Brar, Bikram Jit Singh Majthia, Iqbal Singh, Jathedar Takth Patna Sahib, SGPC president Avtar Sigh Makkar, Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, Baba Gurmail Singh, Baba Harbhajan Singh, Baba Gurcharan Singh, SSP, Jagraon, Gurpreet Singh were among thousands of religious heads, institutions’ heads, political leaders, raagis and devotees who gathered at the funeral.