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IIT Baba At Mahakumbh: Amid Abhey Singh’s disappearance, ashram sadhus expressed that he was grappling with increasing mental stress due to continuous media interactions and controversies over some of his remarks.
Abhey Singh spent four years studying aerospace engineering. (Photo Credit/ ‘X’)
The ‘IITian Baba’ who gained immense fame at Maha Kumbh 2025, taking place in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, has abruptly made an exit from the once-in-12-year event. This comes after the videos of engineer-turned-saint Abhey Singh’s interaction with media went viral.
As his whereabouts remain unknown, the spiritual world is abuzz with his disappearance news.
For the unversed, Abhey Singh is a former aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay who later embraced the spiritual life of a saint. He is also referred to as IITian Baba or IIT Baba by many.
It is learnt that the “IIT Baba” left the Maha Kumbh and the Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara in Prayagraj on Thursday. His sudden exit from the spiritual event has left both the ashram sadhus and his family in a state of concern.
His parents, including his father Karan Singh — an advocate and former head of the Jhajjar Bar Association — arrived at the Ashram the same night looking for him, only to find out he had already left to an unknown location.
Notably, Abhey Singh has been maintaining a distance from his family for the past six months and all the efforts by his family requesting him to return home has remain unfruitful.
Friction Within Akhada Over IIT Baba’s Popularity?
Amid Singh’s disappearance, ashram sadhus expressed that he was grappling with increasing mental stress due to continuous media interactions and controversies over some of his remarks.
Some reports even quoted ‘sadhus’ as saying that due to stress, he had started taking drugs and gave interviews in that condition.
They said he was unable to cope with the situation so he decided to leave the ashram. Further, Singh has also switched off his phone, cutting contact with his devotees and media personnel.
However, the exact reason of Singh’s exit from the the Kumbh is unknown but many are speculating that the ashram sadhus were not content with his conduct.
The Juna Akhada, one of the largest and most influential sects of Hindu ascetics, sticks to strict traditions and rituals regarding public appearances and media interactions. As per media reports, the IIT Baba’s rising popularity on social media platforms led to a friction within the Akhada as senior saints, who alone are traditionally permitted to engage with the media, reportedly viewed his viral presence as a breach of protocol.
Who is ‘IIT Baba’ Abhey Singh?
Originating from Haryana, Abhey Singh’s distinctive journey stands out amidst the myriad of spiritual stories at the Maha Kumbh Mela. After exploring various academic paths, Singh found his true calling in spirituality.
Abhey Singh spent four years at IIT Bombay, earning his engineering degree, but after graduation, he chose to abandon his promising career in science. He transitioned into the arts by pursuing a Master’s in Design. During this time, Singh developed a deep passion for photography, which became a major turning point in his career. He shared that this shift in focus led to a profound change in his philosophy about life. His social media posts reflect his love for the magic of art and the powerful messages conveyed through pictures and paintings.
Despite his hesitations, Abhey Singh worked in the corporate sector for a few years, only to find that his true calling lay somewhere else. He also tried his hands at teaching. However, the traditional career paths ultimately did not bring him the fulfilment he sought, following which his interest shifted towards spirituality.
“You will keep searching for the meaning of life. I used to find that in engineering but never found my answers,” he said in an interview with News18. Stating that he also delved into philosophical concepts like post-modernism and the works of Socrates and Plato, Singh added, “If you have to understand the mind or mental health, then you can do it through spirituality. This stage is the best stage for me.”
This transition from a traditional life towards spirituality has piqued interest among many.
- Location :
Prayagraj, India