Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 — or later than 1927 — with the family name of "Ratnakaram", and is a South Indian guru, religious leader, orator and described by his followers - not uncontroversially - as a Godman and a miracle worker.

According to Sathya Sai Organization there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries world-wide. The number of Sathya Sai Baba adherents is estimated sometimes as around 6 million, and followers cite "50 to 100 million." He is considered by his followers to be an avatar and the reincarnation of the saint Sai Baba of Shirdi.