Meet the ‘IIT Baba’: Abhay Singh’s Journey from Aerospace Engineering to Spiritual Awakening

Meet the 'IIT Baba': Abhay Singh's Journey from Aerospace Engineering to Spiritual Awakening
The Maha Kumbh Mela, recognized as the largest religious gathering globally, has commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Millions of devotees from various backgrounds have gathered to participate in this once-in-every-12-years event, which is marked by taking a sacred dip at the Sangam.
Over 400 million pilgrims, including many international visitors, are anticipated over the 45-day Maha Kumbh, which started on January 13. Spiritual leaders emphasize that this year’s gathering is of exceptional spiritual importance, coinciding with a rare celestial event that hasn’t occurred in 144 years.
The Maha Kumbh features a wide array of spiritual figures, including the well-known ash-smeared Naga Sadhus. Each spiritual group has its unique significance and characteristics, and there are several individuals already gaining attention. This is the first Maha Kumbh being showcased prominently on social media, with various stories making headlines. One such story is that of the “IITian” Baba.
About IIT Baba:
At the Maha Kumbh Mela, Abhay Singh, also known as Masani Gorakh, arrived on the very first day. He is a former student of IIT-Bombay, where he studied aerospace engineering, but he chose to leave behind a promising scientific career to follow a spiritual journey. This aspect of his life came to light during an interview.
Originally from Haryana, Singh spent four years at IIT-B, earning his engineering degree. He later shifted away from engineering to pursue a master’s in design and developed a strong interest in photography. Additionally, he has shared his knowledge by tutoring students in physics.
In an interview with News18, the IIT Baba explained that he explored philosophical ideas such as post-modernism and the teachings of Socrates and Plato in search of life’s meaning. He stated, “I now understand that this is real knowledge. If you have to understand the mind or mental health, then you can do it (through spirituality).” When asked about how he reached his current state, Singh expressed, “This stage is the best stage.”
The initial royal bath, known as shahi snan, is taking place on Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14. On this day, a large number of people are anticipated to take a dip in the waters. The final royal bath will occur on Mahashivratri, February 26, marking the conclusion of the Kumbh.
Twitter Link
#Watch | Meet IITian Baba at the Maha Kumbh, who did Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay but left everything for spirituality#MahaKumbh2025 #PrayagrajMahaKumbh#IITianBaba #Viral #News18India pic.twitter.com/THargJIzIT
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 14, 2025