SATHYA SAI BABA (SATH-ya SAI BAH-ba)

Indian spiritual teacher who claimed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba and later the avatar of multiple Hindu deities, building a vast international following through demonstrations of alleged supernatural powers. Born Sathyanarayana Raju in the village of Puttaparthi, he began claiming divine status in his early teens, performing what followers regarded as miracles including materialization of sacred ash (vibhuti), jewelry, watches, and other objects apparently from thin air.

His movement grew to encompass millions of devotees worldwide, significant charitable organizations including hospitals and educational institutions, and considerable political influence in India. Sai Baba's ashrams hosted prominent visitors including government officials, celebrities, and wealthy donors who contributed substantial funds to his various humanitarian projects. His followers credited him with healing powers, precognitive abilities, and the capacity to appear in multiple locations simultaneously (bilocation).

However, Sai Baba faced persistent allegations of fraud and sexual abuse throughout his career. Former devotees and investigators documented evidence of stage magic techniques used in his materializations, including sleight of hand methods for producing objects. More seriously, multiple former students and devotees accused him of sexual abuse, leading to investigations by international media and human rights organizations. Despite these controversies, he retained millions of devoted followers until his death in 2011, and his organization continues to operate extensive charitable and educational programs worldwide.