Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, aka Bageshwar Dham Baba, is again making headlines, but not for his spiritual discourses, but for his wardrobe during his Australia tour. His wardrobe, which included Gucci Sunglasses, has taken the internet by storm.
Bageshwar Baba is reportedly traveling in Australia for a religious Katha (religious sermon). When his photos surfaced online which he was seen wearing stylish sunglasses and an expensive-looking jacket on a plane, and even enjoying a cruise ride, he was trolled heavily.
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As soon as Bageshwar Baba’s stylish pictures went viral online, he was trolled for his insensitivity
The pictures of Bageshwar Baba surfaced after the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 274 lives. This made critics question his humility and made them wonder how a man who once sat on a plastic chair drawing slips in a small tent now sports designer wear while globe-trotting.
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किसी को “धीरेन्द्र गर्ग” की मेहनत नहीं दिखती…! सबको “बाबा बागेश्वर” की सफलता दिखती है। कोई रातों रात चमत्कार नहीं हुआ है बचपन में पहले गांव के भोले भाले लोगों को चूना लगाना पड़ा तब गुची तक का सफर किया…!#BageshwarDhamSarkar pic.twitter.com/HqL9DUAjNK
— डॉ. वीर्य सम्हालकर (@BulBul_Rider) June 14, 2025
Social media platforms are accusing the self-styled spiritual leader of living a lavish lifestyle so different from his humble beginnings. Trolls flooded the comments criticizing his transformation from a saint to a celebrity.
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He posted a few pictures on the official social media page from his recent trip to Fiji. The caption read,
“Journey of the Pujya Sarkar across the Pacific Ocean from Fiji… Watching the playfulness of the ocean and steering the ship, the Sarkar today piloted it… Learning new vocations everyday is the hobby of the Pujya Sarkar…”
In one of the pics, Bageshwar Baba can be seen steering the cruise. While other pictures show him chilling, wearing a Gucci shade.
प्रशांत महासागर की यात्रा फ़िजी से पूज्य सरकार की…समंदर के अठखेलियों को निहारते और उसपर चल रहे जहाज़ को सरकार ने आज चलाया…नित नए आयाम को सीखना पूज्य सरकार का शगल है…. pic.twitter.com/vSqhQE1VrP
— Bageshwar Dham Sarkar (Official) (@bageshwardham) June 12, 2025
Bageshwar Baba responded to the criticism by clarifying his immediate situation
Responding to the backlash, he said,
“If a 10 rupee man can wear a jacket worth ₹2 lakh… why does it hurt people if a saint wears a ₹60,000 jacket?” He further said, “I didn’t buy it… my disciples gave it to me.”
During an event in Fiji, Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri broke his silence with a sharp reply. He clarified that the expensive sunglasses and the jacket was not bought by him, it was gifted to him by his devotees. He said,
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“The person who posted that video should listen carefully; if you have a problem with my jacket and glasses, let me tell you, they weren’t bought, they were gifted by devotees.”
He also went on to justify accepting offerings, stating that the Dakshina he receives during Katha programs is not for personal luxury but is spent on social welfare, and advised people not to spread “worthless negativity”. He added,
“We are building a cancer hospital, and we support poor girls with this money,” he said, urging people not to spread “worthless negativity”.
Though the spiritual leader shared the clarification, the argument did not conclude online.
Here is how netizens reacted to his pictures
Baba is wearing Gucci, while his bhakts still buy ₹50 goggles from Palika Bazaar 😭 pic.twitter.com/f6xP1TinAl
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) June 14, 2025
साला मै तो साहिब बन गया @gucci के चश्मे पहन कर अपने चू अंधभक्तों की गिनती करता हुआ फ़र्ज़ी बाबा। pic.twitter.com/fN4MeRAHT1
— 🇮🇳 Avi Dandiya (@avidandiya) June 14, 2025
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Besharam, gareeb logon ko thug kar videsh mai mauj mana raha.
Nautankibaz.— Priyamwada (@PriaINC) June 14, 2025
BIGGEST FRAUD
Fooling and Looting the Gullible public
— Proud Secular (@ProudSecular) June 14, 2025
Dongi nautankibaaz farzi logo ko bewakoof bana ke luxury zindagi jee rha hai
— Rohitpandey (@Rohitpa32479549) June 12, 2025
Religion is the most profitable business in India today
— IdlyVadaa (@IdlyVadaa) June 14, 2025
Flashback anyone ? pic.twitter.com/5LAPVV5rWV
— par hater 🙏🏻 (@brownchawal) June 14, 2025
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Ab inko nhi pta chala kya 250 log marne wale h fir kis bat ke bhagwan hai ye
— भारतीय मजदूर (@MajdoorOfIndia) June 12, 2025
His supporters are saying that the criticism is baseless and is triggered mostly by envy, while others argue that public figures, especially spiritual leaders, must be careful of their public image during times of national grief.
This is not the first time Bageshwar Baba has drawn attention for reasons beyond religion. His rise to fame, marked by large gatherings, miracle claims, and political endorsements, has been equally praised and questioned.
