Mathura, May 19 (IANS) Spiritual guru Baba Jai Gurudev, who had millions of followers, passed away at his ashram here after prolonged illness, an ashram spokesperson said. He was believed to be 116 year old.

In his last moments, he was brought to Mathura from the Medanta hospital in Gurgaon where he battled for life for about a fortnight.

As news of his demise spread, thousands of devotees made a beeline to the ashram on the Agra-Delhi highway to pay their last respects.

Considered a cult figure for his social service, Jai Gurudev had followers mainly in villages and small towns. He preached simple living, and his devotees wore clothes made of jute and cotton.

He built an imposing white marble temple, resembling the Taj Mahal, on the Delhi-Agra highway.