Muscular, popular, and 7-foot-tall: Meet Russian Baba turning heads at Maha Kumbh 2025

Devotees from around the globe are attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Amid the chants and calm dips at the Triveni Sangam, several sadhus have gained attention for their remarkable stories and unique features.

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From the former engineer ‘IIT Baba’ to the intriguing ‘Chai Wale Baba,’ the Maha Kumbh Mela has drawn pilgrims and saints from across India and beyond to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

One sadhu who stands out this year is Atma Prem Giri Maharaj, whose impressive physique has earned him the title “muscular baba.”

Here’s a closer look at his story:

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Who is ‘Muscular Baba’?

Atma Prem Giri Maharaj, fondly called ‘Muscular Baba,’ is known for his towering height and remarkable physique.

The 7-foot ‘muscular baba’ wears simple saffron robes, a rudraksha mala and carries a large bag over his shoulder.

The name of the person in the photo is Elesky Garcin, now Atma Prem Giri. The height of this Russian citizen is 7 feet.

After accepting Sanatan Dharma, this saint spent 30 years in penance in a cave in Nepal. His body reflected the radiance of Parashuram.

🙏🚩 pic.twitter.com/f0Kp7PZ1XK

— suman Halder (@shawonkumar664) January 15, 2025

The ‘Muscular Baba’ gained widespread attention when Instagram user Kevin Bubriski posted his picture, leading to comparisons to a modern-day incarnation of Lord Parshuram.

Known for his strength and warrior-like traits, Lord Parshuram is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Videos and photos of the sadhu at the Maha Kumbh Mela, dressed in his saffron attire with his jhola, quickly went viral on social media. Many users shared the images, with the comments section filled with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’.

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Atma Prem Giri Maharaj’s life journey

Atma Prem Giri, originally from Russia, embraced Sanatan Dharma 30 years ago and has since devoted his life to promoting Hinduism. According to an NDTV report, he left his teaching profession to fully pursue spiritual practices.

This 7-foot-tall #Russian, formerly known as Elesky Garcin, now goes by #Atma Prem Giri. He meditated for 30 years in Nepal's #caves, radiating #Parashuram's energy.

Drawn to #Sanatan Dharma's glory, he embraced it wholeheartedly. May its message spread worldwide. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zAWFUK5l7B

— Hindu Voice BD 🇧🇩 (@HinduVoice24) January 15, 2025

Now based in Nepal, Giri dedicates his time to spreading Hinduism and is a member of the Juna Akhara, one of the leading Hindu monastic orders.

Presently in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela , Giri has drawn massive attention due to his impressive physique and radiant presence.

In addition to his spiritual pursuits, Atma Prem Giri is passionate about fitness and spends hours working out.

More babas create their mark: Meet ‘IIT Baba’

Baba Abhay Singh, popularly known as ‘IIT Baba’, has a background in aerospace engineering from IIT Bombay. However, his journey towards spirituality, as he describes it, was not a matter of choice but an irresistible pull, an inclination that led him to the deep rhythms of devotion and service.

Ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025, he reflected on the mysterious forces that guided his spiritual journey, stating that devotion was not always a conscious decision, but rather an unspoken connection that surpassed logic and reason.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP: #MahaKumbh2025 | Baba Abhay Singh who is from Juna Akhada and was also an IIT student once, says, " I come from Haryana, I went to IIT, then changed to Arts from Engineering, that also didn't work so I kept changing and later I arrived at the final truth.… pic.twitter.com/Li6EwgCXbU

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025

In an interview with ANI, Baba Abhay Singh shared his transition to the path of ‘Bhakti’. He said, “I was born in Haryana’s Jhajjar. I did my schooling there, then I started preparing for JE, after which I went to IIT Mumbai for Aerospace Engineering. Life took different turns, changed my path from engineering to arts, and kept changing my paths until I came to the ‘final truth,’ that’s how I would like to describe it.”

He added, “It was after I found my searching in bhakti that I realised that all the sanskratik gyan of Bharat — all the Natyashastra, has all been made by keeping this Adhyatma in the focal point. It is all dependent on this. The whole system is designed depending on this. What is ‘Adhyatma’ for you, if I just sit and meditate all by myself then it is Adhyatma, many sages sit all by themselves in dhyan and chintan and you will receive the gyan prapti.”

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Maha Kumbh 2025

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 , one of the world’s largest and most significant religious events, is taking place from January 13 to February 26, 2025.

Held in Prayagraj, the event marks the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles, occurring once every 144 years. The main focus of the event is the Shahi Snan, or holy dip, a key ritual for the attendees.

The grand gathering is expected to attract 450 million devotees, tourists, and pilgrims from across the globe.

Important ‘snaan’ dates to note include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

With inputs from agencies