A government notification issued by the Home department states, "to enable devotees to offer prayers to the divine soul on the date of burial of His divine body Puttaparthy in Prasanthi Nilayam, the state government is hereby pleased to declare April 27, 2011 as a public holiday throughout the state of Sikkim."
The notification was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Explanation to section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881).
Born as Sathyanarayana Raju in a humble backward caste family on November 23, 1926, Baba emerged as one of the most popular godmen in India in modern times.
Published 26 April 2011, 10:21 IST