The Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, is set to take place from January 13 to February 26, bringing together saints, sages, and Sanyasis from every corner of India-and even beyond. Among the throngs of devotees, a select group of ascetics stands out, not just for their spiritual fervor but for their unconventional and awe-inspiring practices, each carrying a message of devotion, discipline, and social welfare.
From a Baba who has not bathed in decades to another who starts his day with a bath using 51 pots of Ganga water, their practices defy ordinary logic. Some Babas express their devotion through silence, believing that speaking wastes energy meant for world welfare. Others make bold statements through sheer endurance-like a saint who wears a 45-kg crown of 2.5 lakh Rudraksha beads, or a Sadhu who walked 750 kilometers from Nepal to Prayagraj, undeterred by challenges, to take part in this sacred event.
Welcome to the world of Bizarre Babas, where spirituality meets the extraordinary!
The Baba Who Hasn’t Bathed for 32 Years
Gangapuri Maharaj, who has not taken a bath for 32 years, has become the center of attraction at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Known as Chhotu Baba, he hails from Assam’s Kamakhya Peeth.
Gangapuri Maharaj has refrained from bathing for over three decades, citing an unfulfilled wish. “I do not take a bath because my wish has not been fulfilled in the last 32 years. I will not bathe,” he explained.
Rudraksha Baba: The 45-kg Crown of Devotion
Geetanand Giri Maharaj, famously known as Rudraksha Baba, has drawn fascination at the Kumbh Mela with his extraordinary penance. Every day, he meditates for 12 hours wearing a 45-kg crown of Rudraksha beads. Initially pledging to wear 1.25 lakh Rudraksha beads, offerings from devotees have increased the count to 2.25 lakh.
A Naga Sanyasi from Shri Shambhu Panchdashnam Awahan Akhara, Geetanand Giri hails from Kot Kapura, Punjab. Leaving home at just two and a half years old, he embraced a life of spiritual dedication. In 2019, Baba vowed at the Triveni Sangam to wear the Rudraksha crown for 12 years. Six years into his journey, his resolve remains steadfast.
Anaaj Wale Baba: The Saint Who Grows Crops on His Head
Amarjeet, known as Anaaj Wale Baba, stands out for promoting environmental awareness by growing crops like barley, wheat, and millet on his head. A resident of Sonbhadra, he has dedicated 14 years to this unique penance.
Baba views his practice as a form of Hatha Yoga, blending spirituality with ecological advocacy. “This is Hatha Yoga, and only a saint can endure this,” he stated. On Mauni Amavasya, he plans to harvest the grains and distribute them as prasad to devotees, symbolizing prosperity and blessings.
Mahakal Giri Baba: The One-Handed Tapasvi
For nine years, Mahakal Giri Baba from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, has kept his left hand raised as an act of penance. His deformed, rigid arm symbolizes unwavering dedication to world peace and the preservation of Sanatan Dharma. “I took sanyas at the age of seven and am now 30,” he shared.
Naga Swami Bhagirathi Giri: The One-Legged Yogi
Bhagirathi Giri of the Atal Akhara has practiced Khadeshwari tapasya by standing on one leg for three years. Using a swing for support, he sleeps and meditates while maintaining his vow. “I will continue until atrocities against women and terrorism cease,” he declared.
Naga Baba Pramod Giri: The 51-Pot Ritual of Devotion
Naga Baba Pramod Giri of Rajasthan performs a daily ritual involving a bath with Ganga water from 51 earthen pots. Each day, additional pots are added, culminating in 108 pots on the final day of the ritual. Baba’s unwavering commitment spans nine years, showcasing his dedication to spiritual practices.
Walking 750 km for Faith: Vishnu Giri Maharaj’s Journey to Maha Kumbh
Vishnu Giri Maharaj, a saint from Nepal’s Niranjani Akhara, walked 750 kilometers over nine months to reach Prayagraj. Facing hardships and narrowly escaping accidents, he remained determined to fulfill his vow. Upon arrival, he described his holy dip in the Sangam as rejuvenating, reflecting the spirit of resolve that defines the Maha Kumbh.
