Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

Meet Atma Prem Giri, The 7-feet-tall ‘Muscular Baba’ From Russia

One person stands out at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Atma Prem Giri stands seven-feet-tall in saffron attire. He shot to limelight after an Instagram user, Kevin Bubriski, shared his picture on the social media platform. Many refer to him as the modern-day incarnation of Lord Parasuram, the sixth embodiment of Lord Vishnu, who was born to eliminate sinful and ruthless kings and make the Earth a better place. Atma Prem Giri, or “muscular baba”, is originally from Russia, but now lives in Nepal. A Juna akhara member, he left his teaching career about 30 years ago to learn more about Hinduism and adopting it as his way of life.

Swami Sivananda, 129, Has Been A Kumbh Fixture for a Century

Swami Sivananda, born in 1896, has visited every Kumbh Mela over the past century, marking an extraordinary milestone in his life. His first Kumbh Mela was in 1901, when he was only five years old. Since then, he has attended every gathering, including those held in Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. Today, at the age of 129, he continues to inspire generations of seekers with his teachings and unwavering faith.

How ‘IIT-Baba’ is defying the image of an ascetic

A former aerospace engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay, known as ‘IIT Baba’, has captured the popular imagination at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. Abhey Singh, a Haryana native and a devotee of Lord Shiva, traded his scientific pursuits for a life devoted to spirituality. His ability to engage with journalists in fluent English at the Maha Kumbh has stirred curiosity. His blend of scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom sets him apart from the traditional image of an ascetic.

Steve Jobs’ Handwritten 1974 Letter About Kumbh Mela Auctioned for Rs 4.32 Crore

A handwritten 1974 letter from the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs about his plans to visit the Kumbh Mela was recently auctioned for Rs 4.32 crore. The letter, which was sold by Bonhams, is addressed to Jobs’ childhood friend Tim Brown. In the note, Jobs shares his desire to travel to India for the Kumbh Mela, which was set to begin in April in Haridwar that year. The letter, written just a day before his 19th birthday, offers a rare insight into his spiritual and introspective nature. In the letter, Jobs reflects on Zen Buddhism.

Woman skydives with Maha Kumbh flag

Amid the spiritual fervour of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a jaw-dropping video has emerged showcasing a unique act of devotion and adventure by an Indian woman. The video, which quickly went viral on Instagram, features Anamika performing a daring skydive while holding the Maha Kumbh flag. The video begins with Anamika proudly displaying the Maha Kumbh flag before boarding an aircraft in Bangkok, Thailand. Moments later, she jumps out of the plane, soaring through the sky. As the wind rushes past, she unfurls the flag mid-air, creating a breathtaking moment that has left viewers spellbound. The accompanying caption reads: “Inviting people all over the globe for the world’s largest human gathering — Maha Kumbh 2025.”

A shot at Guinness record? 1 crore cups of tea daily at a single event

Karnataka Milk Federation, which markets its dairy products under the Nandini brand, has partnered with the tea café chain, Chai Point for the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. Chai Point has established 10 stores within the Maha Kumbh Mela premises. These stores are poised to serve over 1 crore cups of tea daily during the event, aiming to set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of teacups sold at a single event.

3.5-year-old ‘toddler’ saint strikes a big chord

The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj has brought together millions of devotees, saints, and spiritual leaders. Among them, a 3.5-year-old saint named Shravan Puri has caught everyone’s attention. He is the youngest Baba in the Juna Akhara, one of the largest groups of saints at the mela. Despite being so young, Shravan Puri Baba’s behaviour reflects a spiritual life. Unlike most children of his age, he prefers fruits over chocolates and spends his time playing with his Guru brothers in the akhara.

What is Rabri Baba’s claim to fame?

Rabri Baba has also become a popular figure at the Sangam. Also known as Shri Mahant Devgiri from Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani, he is drawing attention for his service. Every day, starting at 8 am and continuing late into the night, Baba prepares creamy rabri by boiling milk in a large cauldron. He serves it to devotees with great love, bringing joy to their hearts. His selfless service has become one of the special highlights of the Kumbh.

Chai Wale Baba, who offers free civil service coaching via WhatsApp

“Chai Wale Baba”, a tea seller-turned-monk, epitomises countless spiritual and inspiring stories of the grand Maha Kumbh mela. The seer has spent 40 years providing free coaching to students preparing for civil services. Known as Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, he has taken a vow of silence and abstains from eating, surviving solely on ten cups of tea a day while helping students through gestures and WhatsApp messages.

Vishnu Giri Maharaj’s 750 km Journey

Vishnu Giri Maharaj, a saint from Nepal’s Niranjani Akhara, walked 750 kilometres 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.

The 51-pot ritual of devotion

Naga Baba Pramod Giri of Rajasthan performs a daily ritual involving a bath with Ganges water from 51 earthen pots. Each day, more 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.

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 said.”

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 symbolises unwavering dedication to world peace and the preservation of Sanatan Dharma. “I took sanyas at the age of seven and am now 30 years old,” he said.

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 in eastern Uttar Pradesh, 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 said. On Mauni Amavasya, he plans to harvest the grains and distribute them as prasad to devotees, symbolising prosperity, and blessings.”

The 45-kg crown of devotion

Geetanand Giri Maharaj, famously known as Rudraksha Baba, has evoked curiosity at the Maha 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. He embraced a life of spirituality at a tender age of two and a half. 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.

Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell performs ‘pattabhishek’ in Maha Kumbh

Laurene Powell, the wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, participated in the Pattabhishek (coronation) ceremony of Vyasanand Giri Maharaj at the Niranjani Akhara in the presence of Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj in Prayagraj. Powell is in Prayagraj to immerse herself in Hindu rituals and will stay at the camp of her guru Swami Kaliashananda, the “Mahamnadleshwar” of Niranjani Akhara. She will participate in several rituals of the Maha Kumbh till January 29.

144 Years Wait Is Over

After 144 years, the Maha Kumbh will be held in Prayagraj. The oldest written information about the Kumbh is found in the travel accounts of Chinese traveller Huen Tsang. However, in Hindu religious texts such as the Atharva Veda mentions it since the beginning of the universe.

No Bath For 32 Years

Gangapuri Maharaj, affectionately known as Chhotu Baba, 57, is an odd ball. Baba, who belongs to Assam's revered Kamakhya Peeth, hasn’t had a bath for the last 32 years. Standing at 3 feet 8 inches tall, Chhotu Baba told news agency ANI: “I don’t take a bath because I have a wish which has not been fulfilled in the last 32 years. I will not take a bath in the Ganga.”

An Ancient Understanding

The selection of Maha Kumbh Mela sites reveals ancient India’s profound understanding of geography and geomagnetic forces. These locations, often at river confluences, are believed to exhibit strong geomagnetic energy fields. Ancient sages identified these regions as optimal for spiritual growth, leveraging their knowledge of Earth’s energy systems to determine the timing and locations of the festival.

11% Of Indians Visited Kumbh In 2019

What was the population of India in January 2019? According to the 2011 census, the estimated figure was 132 crores. In 2019, the Kumbh mela, which was held in Prayagraj, between January 15 and March 4, 15 crore Indians had visited the gathering. The figure is equivalent to 11% of the nation's population, who had gathered in a single city, the data showed.”

What Did The Sacred Pitcher Contain?

The ‘Kumbh’ in Kumbh Mela refers to the sacred pitcher. According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought over the pitcher. What did the pitcher contain? It contained nectar, which symbolises immortality.