Guru Sai Baba's Funeral Draws Thousands in India

Nearly half a million people gathered in the southern Indian town of Puttaparthi for the funeral of the revered Indian spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among thousands of mourners paying their respects to the guru.

The ceremony was broadcast live by several of India's television channels. The hall was decorated with huge portraits of the guru, with his characteristic dark, curly hair and trademark robes. Hundreds of thousands of devotees will be watching the proceedings on a giant screen that has been set up outside.