20 November 2004	Saturday	07 Shawwal 1425

NEW DELHI, Nov 19:A Hindu seer in India's eastern Orissa state was berated by angry crowds when he failed to die after declaring his soul would leave his body at an appointed time, a report said on Friday.

The chief cleric of Sriguru Ashram at Kharagaon area of Konark district said he would die a natural death on Wednesday between 6am and noon, the Asian Age newspaper said, without naming him.

Elaborate police arrangements were made as a crowd of 15,000 turned up to see the "death by will" miracle. On Wednesday morning, the seer prayed at the break of dawn and then sat down to meditate as the crowd watched him in awe.

However when onlookers found that he was still alive, they turned angry and hurled abuse at him and temple officials. Police resorted to a baton-charge to disperse the crowd.

When reporters asked the seer what had happened, he replied: "Perhaps the will of God was somewhat different. I am very shocked to have given you so much pain. I wanted to leave my mortal body, but I could not. Please forgive me." -AFP