Fitness training is an essential part of Hindu practice and also something most Hindus haven’t worked out yet but think Krishna on the battlefield was telling Arjuna to eat pakoras and samosas 50 times a day while smoking 10 packs and drinking 20 bottles of alcohol daily to become an intellectual ‘Kshatriya’ with a massive potbelly to scare off the opposing armies .
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is attracting millions of people from across the globe. The mega spiritual gathering has seen pilgrims and sadhus (saints) from India and abroad converge on the banks of the Sangam – the sacred confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati. Among the many saints who have set up their camps this year, Atma Prem Giri Maharaj stands out for his physique, which has earned him the nickname “muscular baba.”
Standing at a towering seven feet tall, dressed in saffron robes and adorned with a ‘rudraksha mala’, his presence at the Maha Kumbh Mela has sparked intrigue, with many describing him as the modern-day incarnation of Lord Parshuram, a revered figure in Hinduism. Lord Parshuram, known for his strength and warrior-like attributes, is an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Mr Giri, formerly known as Elesky Garcin, is originally from Russia, and has dedicated his life to promoting Hinduism after embracing Sanatan Dharma 30 years ago. Once a teacher, he decided to leave his professional career and immerse himself in spiritual pursuits. He resides in Nepal, spending his life promoting Hinduism. He is also a member of the Juna Akhara, one of the prominent Hindu monastic orders. – NDTV
