Sant Baba Nahar Singh, who helped establish the Babe Ke Gurdwara in Bericote Road, Blackdown, in 1995, died of a heart attack aged 78 on November 26.

Solicitor Manjeet Singh Bhogal, 42, who is another of the three temple trustees along with Dr Jagdish Singh Dhillon, paid tribute to Sant Nahar Singh, who used the Leamington Gurdwara as his residence during his frequent visits to the UK.

He said: “ We knew him since childhood and he was a substantial part of our lives. He devoted a lot of time to the faith and showed us there is more to life than just materialism.”

Sant Nahar Singh had followers around the world, to whom he offered spiritual advice and guidance. He helped set up Sikh Gurdwaras, schools, colleges and hospitals all around India and temples in the USA, Germany, Australia and Malaysia.

Every August Sant Nahar Singh would lead the anniversary of Sant Baba Nand Singh in Snitterfield, near Stratford, a religious event which thousands of people attended.

Mr Bhogal, who attended the funeral in Zahrapeer, India, along with some 60,000 people, said: “He was a very highly respected member of the Sikh community.”

, not just in Leamington but internationally.

“His death is a big loss to the whole community.

“Many dignitaries attended the funeral from other religions and the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, sent his condolences.”

The son of Sant Nahar Singh, Kapoor Singh, will take his place as spiritual leader having been selected by the senior Sikh saints who went to the funeral.