Swami Sivananda Baba, Padma Shri recipient and revered yoga practitioner, has been attending every Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain, and Haridwar for the past century, his disciple Sanjay Sarvajana claimed.
Swami Sivananda was conferred the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Kovind on March 21, 2022, when he was reportedly 125 years old.
His Aadhaar card lists his birthdate as August 8, 1896.
As the Maha Kumbh continued at Sector 16's Sangam Lower Road, Baba spent his mornings immersed in yoga and meditation, while his disciples eagerly awaited his darshan.
Phalgun Bhattacharya, a disciple from Bengaluru, became emotional as he recounted Swami Sivananda’s early life. Born into a beggar’s family, Baba was handed over to Saint Omkarananda Goswami at the age of four.
Upon his return to his family at six, a tragedy struck — he lost both his sister and parents within a week.
Bhattacharya shared how Baba performed their last rites on a single funeral pyre, with the saint becoming his sole caretaker.
Bhattacharya described how Baba’s lifestyle was influenced by these early experiences.
"He eats half a meal, sleeps by 9 pm, wakes up at 3 am, and spends his mornings performing yoga and meditation. He does not take a nap during the day," Bhattacharya added.
Hiraman Biswas from Delhi spoke of Baba’s profound spiritual abilities. He recounted an incident where a famished devotee was served kheer in an earthen bowl by Baba, who insisted he eat it despite the small quantity.
The devotee, unable to finish, exclaimed at Baba’s feet, "I failed to understand you, Baba."
Biswas recalled his first meeting with Baba in Chandigarh in 2010. Despite staying on the sixth floor of a building with non-functional elevators, Baba climbed up and down daily. "I was amazed by his fitness," Biswas remarked.
Devotees insisted that Swami Sivananda did not apply for the Padma Shri himself.
"He remains disease-free, has no desires, and does not accept donations. His diet consists solely of boiled food without oil or salt, avoiding milk and its derivatives," devotees said.
Based in Kabir Nagar, Durgakund in Varanasi, Baba will return home after completing his stay at the Maha Kumbh Mela. His message to the youth: "Start your day early and dedicate at least half an hour to yoga.
Maintain a proper lifestyle as many suffer due to unhealthy habits and lack of physical activity. Walking daily is essential for good health."
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