 "The seer who rides a Harley, an IITian baba: Meet the ascetics turning heads at Maha Kumbh Mela")
The Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering in the world, has officially kicked off in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, drawing devotees from all corners of society to be part of this grand event.
However, this is not just a religious celebration; it’s also a vivid display of the diverse and intriguing personalities that converge at the gathering. Among them, certain Babas (ascetics or sages) stand out for their unconventional choices and unique journeys.
Whether it’s a sadhu riding in on a Harley Davidson or an IIT graduate choosing the life of an ascetic, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a melting pot of fascinating individuals. Here’s a closer look at some of the most unique and captivating Babas at this year’s event.
Chai-wale Baba
Known as “Chai Wale Baba,” Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, a former tea seller from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has dedicated over 40 years to offering free coaching to civil services aspirants. Remarkably, he does so without speaking a word and consuming nothing else but tea.
Baba has taken a vow of silence and survives on just ten cups of tea each day. He believes that the milk in the tea provides him with all the necessary nutrients, reported ABP News.
The Baba also continues to guide his students through non-verbal communication, such as gestures and WhatsApp messages.
Rajesh Singh, one of Baba’s students, told how he helped him in his UPSC preparation. “We can write to him anytime, and he responds with written messages or gestures. His silence helps him conserve energy, which he uses to guide us,” Singh told India TV.
Once a US Army soldier, now Baba Mokshapuri
Baba Mokshapuri, a former US Army soldier known as Michael, embraced spirituality after his first visit to India with his wife and son.
It was during this visit that Baba Mokshapuri discovered meditation and yoga, and was introduced to the teachings of Sanatan Dharma. The cultural richness of India sparked a spiritual awakening that he now believes was a divine calling.
“I am no different. In fact, there was a time when I was like any other common man. I used to love going out, spending time with my wife and family. I also joined the Army," he told News18.
US based 'Moksha Puri Baba' narrates his journey from serving in military to Sanyaas. pic.twitter.com/tG6X7PMvbC
— Sumit Joshi (@iSumitjoshi) January 10, 2025
The defining moment in his life came after the tragic loss of his son, which led him to turn to meditation as a form of solace.
“I realised that nothing is permanent. I then embarked upon this never-ending journey to attain moksha,” said the seer, who is now closely associated with the Juna Akhara and has dedicated his life to the practice and propagation of Sanatan Dharma.
Some babas are cruising in style
At the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, some Babas have made their arrivals in truly unique styles.
One such figure is Ambassador Baba, who has become the talk of the Mela after arriving in his saffron-coloured Ambassador car. Originally from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the 50-year-old sage has attended four Kumbh Melas and has been travelling in his iconic 1972 Ambassador for the past 30 to 35 years. The car has been his faithful companion throughout his spiritual journey.
Another seer, known as ‘Splendor’ Baba, took a 14-day journey from Gujarat on a three-wheeler motorcycle, covering an astounding one lakh kilometres, as reported by ANI.
Additionally, visuals showed the seer riding into the Maha Kumbh tent city on a Harley Davidson.
IITian Baba
Abhay Singh aka IITian Baba, has caught the attention of devotees and social media on the very first day of Maha Kumbh.
Singh, a former IIT Bombay student with a background in aerospace engineering, abandoned a promising scientific career to pursue a spiritual path.
Meet IITian Baba at the Maha Kumbh, who did Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay but left everything for spirituality.
— BALA (@erbmjha) January 13, 2025
Meanwhile, illiterate Leftists and Seculars mock Sanatanis. pic.twitter.com/vM0XI7rIFS
“You look for the meaning of life. Even while I was studying engineering, I took philosophy courses - Post Modernism, Socrates, Plato - to understand what is the meaning of life,” he told News18.
“I now understand that this is real knowledge. If you have to understand the mind or mental health, then you can do it (through spirituality)." On being asked how he reached the current stage, Singh said, “This stage is the best stage."
Rabri Baba
Each morning at the Maha Kumbh, Mahant Devgiri of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani starts his day by preparing a giant kadhai (pot) of milk to make creamy sweet Rabri, which he then serves to devotees from 8:00 am until late into the night.
This unique service has captured the hearts of many. He shared with ANI, “The kadhai is set up at 8:00 am, but before that, I complete my daily routine, including bathing, meditation, and prayers. I perform my worship in the morning, just as you do. It is not for publicity but a matter of the soul connecting with the Supreme Being and the Supreme Being with the ultimate throne.”
Environment Baba
Environment Baba or Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Aruna Giri, also amongst the Babas whose arrival at the Maha Kumbh Mela grabbed attention.
In August 2016, Baba distributed 27 lakh plants from Vaishno Devi to Kanyakumari, and since then, he has been encouraging his followers to plant two trees—one for final rites and one Peepal tree for oxygen.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba alias 'Environment Baba' arrives at Prayagraj for #MahaKumbh2025. pic.twitter.com/72Cqyrdo40
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025
“I have performed 82 rituals so far. My devotees from almost 30 countries have committed to planting over 1 crore trees in our country. In 2016, during a march from Vaishno Devi to Kanyakumari, we planted trees across 27 states. Since then, devotees started calling me Environment Baba,” he told ANI.
With input from agencies
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