NEW DELHI A holy dog, worshipped for nearly 12 years as the reincarnation of a highly revered, ancient Indian saint, has been given a ceremonial Hindu burial by thousands of devotees in Bombay, Rahul Bedi reports.
The body of Twinkle (12), a Pomeranian which was renamed Sri Sai Pandu Baba, was recently bathed in water from seven Indian rivers at the temple over which he presided, before being marched through the streets of Panvel, a Bombay suburb, on a palanquin followed by wailing devotees.
He was then buried by the side of a German collie owned by the temple's founder in a samadhi or mausoleum lined with sandalwood powder, camphor and incense amidst chanting of ancient Hindu mantras.
As a two week old pup, Twinkle was sold to Narayan Baba, the founder of the Sai Baba mandir or temple, by a local hotelier for 200 rupees (£3) and almost immediately revealed his religious identity through "pious gestures". Soon he became a permanent fixture around the temple's main idol, and began "blessing" worshippers who were convinced he was their saint reincarnated in a dog's body. Devotees daily made him offerings of the choices of sweets and savouries.