Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that the innumerable devotees who thronged the mandir had benefitted from Babaji's spiritual messages.

Babaji will be laid in samadhi in the premises of the Shiv-Gauri Nageshwar Mandir within the Chhatrapur temple complex on the afternoon of December 18. According to the administrative staff of the temple, the site of the samadhi had been earmarked by Babaji himself. Till then, the body will be kept at the Satsang Bhavan in the temple to enable the devotees to pay their last respects.

Special arrangements have been made to house the devotees, who are coming in from all parts of the country, within the premises.

According to A.L. Batra, president of the Shri Adya Katyayani Shakti Peeth Trust: ``Babaji had a lung disorder and had been on oxygen for the last several years. Despite that he continued with work at the temple. We have asked the local police for additional security till Babaji is laid to rest. Seeing the numer of devotees, we have also decided to allow darshan round-the-clock.''

Batra added that no successor to Babaji had been appointed and the five-member trust established by Babaji would look after the administrative affairs of the temple.

Built on a 60-acre area near the Qutab Minar, the Chhatarpur temple was established in 1974. While Goddess Durga is the chief deity of the temple, there are several small temples dedicated to almost all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses within the complex. Before setting-up the temple, Babaji had undertaken several pilgrimages across the country. He also undertook several padyatras to spread the message of unity and integrity.

Apart from supporting several organisations working for the disabled and for lepers, the temple trust runs a primary school, a creche, a vocational centre and three dispensaries in the temple premises. The trust also runs two other temples, Durga Ashram in Mehrauli and Shiv Shakti temple in Kilokari near Ashram.