People Who Gained Fame at the Kumbh Mela 2025
The Maha Kumbh Mela is known for being one of the world’s largest peaceful gatherings. It is a grand cultural event hosted in India, which stands out for its spiritual vibe, top-notch organization, the procession of akhadas and various other religious rituals that attract millions across the globe. Among the devotees, sadhus and tourists who attended the event this year, some have gone viral due to their unique personalities or quirky traits. Be it the ascetic who sports thousands of Rudraksha beads, the sadhu with thorny bushes as his bed, or the ascetics with offbeat vehicles, among others unique in their own ways. Here is a look at some of the faces that got famous in the Kumbh Mela this time.
The 10 Most Talked-about People in the Maha Kumbh 2025
Rudraksha Wale Baba
Gitanand Giri, also known as ‘Rudraksha Wale Baba,’ is a devoted follower of Shiva, currently on a 12-year spiritual journey that began at the Allahabad Ardha Kumbh. Over the years, his Rudraksha mala has grown from 11 kg to an incredible 45 kg, symbolizing his deep dedication. He has taken a vow to string 1.25 lakh Rudraksha beads into 925 malas as part of his practice. His journey, rooted in devotion, aims to culminate in the upcoming Ardha Kumbh, making him a unique and revered figure at the Maha Kumbh.
Anaaj Wale Baba
His real name is Amarjeet and he is a Hatha yogi from Uttar Pradesh. He is standing out during the Kumbh Mela this year due to the crops growing on his head. Surprising, isn’t it? He grows wheat, millet, peas and gram on his head and waters them daily. He is spreading environmental awareness in his own way, and has gone viral.
IIT Baba
An aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay, he is a spiritual seeker who has gained fame in the Kumbh Mela this year. His real name is Abhay Singh, and he has given up his high-paying job in Canada to embark on a spiritual journey. His views on science and spirituality are creating waves on social media and visitors have grown curious to know about his transition to spirituality.
Ambassador Baba
A vintage 1972 Ambassador is his vehicle, and the reason behind him being called Ambassador Baba. His real name is Mahant Rajgiri Naga Baba, and due to his lifestyle and devotion to spirituality, he is among the most talked about people at the Kumbh Mela 2025.
Kantewale Baba
He is famed for lying on a bed of thorny bushes as a part of his tapasya. That’s also the reason behind his unique nickname ‘kantewale’. He is known for his extreme practices and attractive performances at the Kumbh Mela, and he is among the most famous faces at the event this year.
Ayurvedi Baba
Bal Yogi Ajay Puri is his real name and he has gained fame in the Kumbh Mela this year due to the medicinal tea he is serving to devotees for free. According to him, his preparation contains Ayurvedic herbs and can relieve tiredness and mental stress. People are lining up at his camp to get his Ayurvedic tea, and he is turning into a media sensation at the Maha Kumbh.
Muscular Baba
A very good physique and a powerful spiritual presence have gotten him fame in the Kumbh Mela this year. His appearance reminds us of Parashurama, due to which many have started calling him an avatar of Parashurama or Lord Vishnu. He is seven-feet in height and dressed in saffron clothes. His real name is Atma Prem Giri Maharaj and he hails from Russia. Currently staying in Nepal, he has devoted his life to promoting Hinduism.
e-Rikshaw Baba
His real name is Mahant Om but he has got this name due to his unique vehicle. He travelled to Prayagraj from Delhi, in his one-of-a-kind rikshaw which has a kitchen and a bedroom. His customized three-wheeler has caught attention and given him fame at the Maha Kumbh this year. This rikshaw is not just his commute, it is fully equipped with everything he requires in his daily routine. He has been travelling for about 12 days in this rikshaw, driving slowly and taking stops to rest during the journey. Solar panels have been installed on this vehicle, due to which it is proving to be an environmentally friendly mode of transport. He says he did not have to stay or eat anywhere else, and that he could eat, sleep, perform sadhana and conduct all other everyday activities in the rikshaw. During travel, he has distributed food and brochures spreading knowledge about Indian philosophy and culture.
Chhotu Baba
His real name is Gangapuri Baba. He comes from the Kamakhya Peeth in Assam. He is 57 years old and just 3 feet 8 inches in height, which is perhaps the reason he got the name Chhotu Baba. He is attending the Prayagraj Kumbh for the very first time this year, and has gained fame for not having bathed in the last 32 years. This claim of his has sparked mass attention at the event.
Chabhi wale Baba
Harishchandra Vishwakarma Kabira, from Uttar Pradesh has garnered fame at the Maha Kumbh this year for his unique trait of carrying a key weighing 20 kgs with him, which he believes is the key of Lord Rama. He claims to have left his house at a young age of 16 and calls himself a true protector of the country and its people. He wanders with the aim to banish the negativity and hatred from society and says he has walked for several miles, and faced many challenges, and now, is walking on the path of truth.
So, apart from the huge processions of ascetics and the dip in the holy waters (shahi snan) that are Kumbh’s key features, people like these, due to their interesting attires, appearances or behaviours, are getting crowd appeal and creating headlines on the news and social media.
Personalities like these do not disrupt the religious and spiritual atmosphere of the Kumbh Mela; instead, they add a touch of amusement to this deeply sacred gathering. In them, we see a reflection of Bharat – its diversity, devotion, and timeless traditions… all coming alive at the Kumbh.
Apart from the amusingness of these people, their remarkable feats like growing crops on the head, or lying on a bed of thorns, for example, leave the common people wonderstruck. There is something unusual or awe-inspiring about each of these people, owing to which they have got famous at the Kumbh Mela this year.