At the heart of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where millions gather at the Triveni Sangam seeking spiritual awakening, one figure stands out Baba Abhay Singh, famously known as ‘IIT Baba’. An IIT-Bombay alumnus and former aerospace engineer, his extraordinary transformation from academia to asceticism has captured the imagination of visitors at this grand spiritual congregation.
“I come from Haryana, I went to IIT, then changed to Arts from engineering. That also didn’t work, so I kept changing, and later I arrived at the final truth, reflecting on his unconventional path,” .
IIT Baba said his transition into spirituality stemmed from a deep-rooted quest for knowledge and truth.
Baba Abhay Singh shared that he faced a difficult childhood and strained family relationships, claiming he was not treated well by his family. When he began pursuing photography, they often mocked him, calling him mad. This treatment led him to occasionally consider leaving home in search of a better life.
Despite these challenges, his curiosity and eagerness to explore various facets of life kept him motivated to learn and grow at every stage. He said he found solace in exploration from deciphering Sanskrit’s elegance to unravelling the complexities of the human mind.
“I started exploring how Sanskrit was written and composed and what makes it so special. I had a quest for knowledge. There was again a shift in thought. The question was how the mind works and how you get rid of unwanted thoughts,” he explains.
His spiritual philosophy transcends conventional religious boundaries.
Rejecting labels of sage or mahant, IIT Baba emphasises inner freedom. “I am in a completely fluid form, I am free, I can do anything,” he asserts.
He said his struggles with severe depression further deepened his introspection.
“I was in a very dangerous depression, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about the same thing, then I thought, what is this system, what is the brain, why am I not able to sleep, what is this mind. Then I studied psychology.”
Immersing himself in the teachings of ISKCON and the philosophical insights of J. Krishnamurti, Abhay began to reconcile science with spirituality.
He said that his passion for travel photography unveiled new perspectives, propelling his spiritual evolution. “I don’t want to get stuck, I don’t want to stop. When a man doesn’t get stuck anywhere, then he becomes free,” he declares.
Today, IIT Baba channels his scientific acumen into spiritual guidance. He advocates for yoga, Vedic sutras, and spiritual practices for those seeking moksha (salvation).
