TOP NEWSMAKERS OF KUMBH, 2025

Recently, the Mahakumbh'25 got over at Prayagraj, UP. Although, it had the usual buzz of the various sacred 'shahi/amrit snanas/baths' at the holy confluence ( Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati ) of Triveni Sangam by Sadhus ( nagas/aghoras ) and common man alike, amidst news and controversies - of stampedes, of deaths, of mamta kulkarnis, of fights between the akhadas esp Kinnar Akhada and many more - some news just hijacked the entire Kumbh updates altogether. These were the result of Kumbh 'discoveries' that went viral overnight. It seemed they had their own mission in the entire kumbh journey and managed to hog the limelight ( and how! ) overshadowing almost everything and everyone else. Lets have a look at those errr...Kumbh Stars??


1. IIT BABA, ABHAY SINGH GREWAL...


Well, this chap is everywhere - dissing his parents, this world, everything...but still latches on to the 'IIT' tag which his parents had a huge hand no doubt in getting him admitted into and passing out from in the first place. He has this weird laugh as he claims he is Mahakal, Krishna, Kalki, Bhagwan and what not. He is been spewing weird theories non-stop ever since the Kumbh Mela started, with every news channels trying to get his byte or even him into their studios - just because he holds this 'IIT tag'. Personally, I feel, he did all these purposely just to gain fame, which he has no doubt achieved. But he does not have the guts to sit and debate or discuss with scholars, as he showed recently when he hit someone in the news studio. On one side, one can sympathize the strain and pain one's parents put their child through to achieve something ~ namely an IIT tag; however, I feel it has dragged on for too long. His nonsense. If he has indeed given up everything in quest of spiritual path, then, he should go and meditate somewhere else - instead of appearing non-stop in social media feeds.


2. ANCHOR HARSHA RICHHARIYA...


She appeared along with the grand processions led by the second largest Niranjani Akhada in Kumbh and instantly grabbed eyeballs. Well, with so much make-up, false dreadlocks and coloured contact lenses one would naturally attract attention especially if one is surrounded by the revered ascetics and other sadhus and sants. When she was interviewed in the chariot itself, it made viewers wonder where did this piece of 'glamour' come from in an otherwise spiritual gathering. The fact that she was a social media influencer already with a large following and famous for silly 'reels', made it a hot recipe for controversy. Nonetheless, whatever the motive, the Kumbh was surely distracted.


3. MONALISA BHONSLE, INDORE...


She was selling 'malas' or 'garlands' in the Kumbh Mela before reporters and vloggers started hounding her and splashed her face everywhere in the internet. Her so-called beautiful 'eyes' became more famous than the entire Kumbh itself. The fame has gone so viral that this lass has even been offered a bollywood movie and is now seen cutting ribbon at various events/ inauguations. Boy, she is surely enjoying her new found fame. Hope she doesn't become the next Ranu Mondal or the Kacha Badam Guy who vanished into oblivion after such crazy overnight fame.


4. BEERBICEPS, RANVEER ALLAHBADIA...


Well, this one was already more famous than all the others combined. And he is certainly not a Kumbh discovery; although, he has certainly been the flag bearer of Sanatan Dharma through his multiple podcasts featuring all types of sadhus and babas. And, the notoriety he gained around this time made him eligible too, to be included in this list. Personally, I'm neutral to the statements he made. Sure, they were crass, incestuous and very offending. But with this generation having a MC/BC/MF gaalis at the tip of their tongue, how are things he uttered any different? Everyone in this planet, including ( I'm sure ) those outraging over his jokes has used a mc/bc/mf swear words at certain time or the other in their lives. So, till that is regarded as okay - I'm not going to join the hypocrite outraging 'herd'.

( Images - Google )