The Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 is indeed unique because it is happening after a 144-year cycle, aligning with rare planetary arrangements as per astrological calculations. This rare event makes the gathering exceptionally auspicious, attracting even greater significance and participation from devotees and spiritual leaders worldwide.
During this important occasion, Babas (ascetics and spiritual leaders) play an essential role in helping spiritual seekers and spreading the knowledge of yoga and meditation. Prominent babas lead talks, carry out rites, and advocate for the age-old concept of holistic well-being. Their presence unites modern spirituality with tradition, drawing attention from all around the world.
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However, this time, Kumbh is full of unique kinds of babas. Each of them embodied unique lifestyles and ideologies. Similarly, in an ongoing Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela, an ‘IIT Baba’ is going viral on social media. All this happened because he is not an ordinary baba. Before turning into a baba, he had a flourishing engineering career. That’s what made him very unique.
Who is viral IIT Baba aka Abhey Singh?
Viral IIT Baba’s real name is Abhey Singh and he is currently 36 years old. He is also known as ‘engineer Baba.’ A native of Haryana has drawn the devotion of the Mahakumbh’s followers with his distinct style. He makes difficult spiritual ideas understandable for younger minds by simplifying them with diagrams and visual presentations, according to PTI.
He previously attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) to study aerospace engineering. After graduating from IIT Bombay, Singh worked in Canada while pursuing a master’s degree in design. After a while, he left Canada and went back to India, where he spent the winters at holy locations like Dharamshala, Mussoorie, and Shimla. He joined Juna Akhada after becoming Baba.
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In an interview with NDTV, IIT Baba described how his spiritual journey was impacted by “domestic violence” during his early years. Despite not having direct experience, he claimed that his parents’ constant arguments had “traumatized” him. Singh claimed that as a child, he would study late into the night to get away from the chaos at home. When questioned about why he did not get married, he acknowledged that he chose an isolated, alone existence after seeing his parents fight.
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His parents now wanted him back home
While IIT Baba seems to be happy in his life, his family is worried about him and wants him back. His father, Karan Grewal, a Haryana-based lawyer, now wants him to go back to his hometown. He told the media,
Our family wishes Abhey to return home. But after achieving so much, it’s not easy for him to come back.
When asked if he had any contact with his son after he became a Sanyasi, Grewal said,
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I was in contact with him until six months ago. After that, he blocked me and all communication with me.
He added,
I heard he was in Haridwar and wanted to visit him but couldn’t, and now he has gone viral in the media.
Pleading for his son’s return, he said,
Obviously, I want him to come home. His mother asked him to come back, to take care of the family, but he replied that after becoming a sanyasi, that’s no longer possible.
Speaking to News18 India, Grewal expressed his thoughts on his son Abhey Singh’s choice, saying,
He was always independent, so what he’s decided, he has decided. Everyone has the right to live their life the way they choose, and I can’t pressure him.
When asked if he would make one final attempt to persuade him, he said,
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I will try, but in my heart, I feel that after reaching this stage, he is unlikely to listen to us.
What do you think about IIT Baba’s choice? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
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