From ‘Monalisa’ To ‘Engineer Baba’: The Most Talked About Faces Of Mahakumbh 2025 | In Pictures

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The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, began on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and will culminate on Maha Shivaratri with the final 'Amrit Snan' on February 26. This grand event has not only drawn millions of devotees but has also spotlighted several unique and viral personalities.

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Abhay Singh, an IIT graduate who left behind a high-paying career and took up spirituality, became the talk of the Mahakumbh town. Known as 'IIT Baba' or the 'Engineer Baba', Singh has gained quite the popularity at Kumbh.

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Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has drawn attention after receiving the Hindu name 'Kamala' by the Panchayati Akhada Shri Niranjania. Her guru and the head seer of the Akhada had told ANI that she now wants to join 'Sanantan Dharma' and learn the tradition.

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Ajay Giri of Panchayati Niranjani Akhara, famously known as Rudraksh Baba, wears 108 rudraksh garlands consisting of 11,000 rudraksh. The weight of these Rudrakshas is more than 30 kilograms.

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A necklace seller has earned the nickname 'Monalisa' due to her captivating grey brown eyes. After a viral YouTube video, visitors have been flocking to her stall, purchasing accessories at premium prices and clicking pictures with her.

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Amarjeet, known as Anaaj Wale Baba, is spreading environmental awareness by growing crops on his head.The baba has been using this unique way to spread awareness about the environment for the past five years. A Hatha Yogi by practice, the baba grows wheat, millet, gram and peas on his head. He even waters them regularly to keep them healthy.

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Chai Wale Baba, a tea seller turned monk has been providing free coaching to civil service aspirants for over 40 years. Without speaking or eating anything, the baba survives on 10 cups of tea per day and communicates with students via WhatsApp.

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A 7-foot-tall Russian sadhu with a well-defined physique, caught the attention at Mahakumbh Mela. Dressed in simple saffron-coloured clothing, the baba was seen carrying his big jhola by his side along with a rudraksha mala around his neck.

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A sadhu went viral for striking a reporter with his tongs. While being questioned, the sadhu was seemingly irritated by the questions. Soon, he got up, struck the reporter and pushed him out of his tent.

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As always, the Naga Sadhus remain the centerpiece of attention at the Mahakumbh. Known for their ash-smeared, unclothed bodies and long dreadlocks, they lead the royal procession into the Kumbh and are among the first to perform the 'Amrit Snan' at Triveni Sangam.