Prayagraj: The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is drawing millions of visitors from around the world. The grand spiritual event has brought together devotees and ascetics from both India and abroad at the Sangam, the sacred meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati rivers. Among the many saints who have set up camps this year, Atma Prem Giri Maharaj has captured huge attention due to his striking physique, earning him the nickname “muscular baba.”
Standing at an imposing height of seven feet, dressed in traditional saffron robes and wearing a ‘rudraksha mala,’ Giri’s presence has piqued curiosity. Many have compared him to the legendary warrior Lord Parshuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, known for his strength and combat skills, NDTV reported.
Giri’s spiritual journey
Originally from Russia, Giri accepted Sanatan Dharma three decades ago and left his career as a teacher to fully devote himself to spiritual pursuits. Now based in Nepal, he actively works to spread the teachings of Hinduism and is a member of the Juna Akhara, one of the key Hindu monastic orders. A photo of the towering “muscular baba” shared on Instagram quickly gained attention, with many commenters joining in the chant “Har Har Mahadev.”
More saints make their mark
In addition to Atma Prem Giri, another notable figure at the event is Abhey Singh, also known as “IIT Baba.” A former aerospace engineer from Haryana, Singh left his career to follow a path of spiritual discovery. Also making waves is Mahant Rajpuri Ji Maharaj, affectionately called “Kabootar Wale Baba” (Pigeon Saint). For nearly ten years, Mahant Rajpuri has had a unique companion: a pigeon named Hari Puri, which perches atop his head. The pigeon symbolises his philosophy of harmony and compassion toward all living creatures.
