Top 6 Viral Babas on Social Media: From Bageshwar Dham to Abhinav Arora

Ayush Singh | Apr 30, 2025, 11:30 IST
viral babas
This article shows cultural deep-dive into how Indian spiritual leaders are evolving in the age of Instagram reels and YouTube shorts. The article profiles six prominent figures — Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, Aniruddhacharya Ji, Premanand Maharaj, Ram Bhadracharya, IITian Baba, and Bal Sant Abhinav Arora — who’ve captured public imagination through a mix of devotion, drama, intellect, and even meme-worthy moments.From controversial headlines to comic reactions, and from scholarly discourse to viral bhajans, these modern-day gurus have redefined how spirituality is consumed and shared in the digital age. Blending ancient wisdom with algorithm-savvy delivery, they speak the language of Gen Z without losing their religious roots. The piece reflects on the broader shift in India’s devotional culture — where darbars meet data, bhakti meets branding, and every blessing comes with a trending hashtag.
In an age where Instagram reels are shaping opinions and YouTube shorts are delivering spiritual sermons in under 60 seconds, a new breed of Indian gurus has emerged — spiritual leaders who’ve become social media sensations.
They blend tradition with tech-savvy communication, gathering millions of followers across platforms. Some are controversial, some are charismatic — but all of them know how to hold an audience. Let’s take a closer look at the six most viral babas currently ruling the digital space.

1. Bageshwar Dham Sarkar – The Viral Face of Modern-Day Bhakti and Headlines

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Dhirendra Krishna Shastri
No list of viral babas can begin without mentioning Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, better known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar. With thousands thronging to his ‘divya darbars’, live-streamed healing sessions, and his unique brand of spiritual storytelling, he’s become a household name. His young age, saffron robe, and unapologetic style have made him a standout in India’s ever-expanding spiritual landscape.
But let’s be honest — while his followers swear by his spiritual powers and claim life-altering experiences after meeting him, his real push into national fame came through controversy.
From challenging atheists on live television to wading into politically-loaded debates, Bageshwar Baba has never shied away from speaking his mind. And that’s precisely what split public opinion — some see him as a bold voice of Hindu dharma, while others call him a cleverly packaged spiritual showman.
It’s this constant tug-of-war between devotion and drama that keeps him trending. News channels cover his darbars like political rallies, Twitter debates rage over his claims, and YouTube thumbnails scream “miracle” and “exposé” in the same breath.
Still, love him or question him, you can’t ignore him. In today’s age of viral reels and headline scrolls, Bageshwar Dham Sarkar has become the most clickable name in Indian spirituality.

2. Aniruddhacharya Ji – When Bhakti Meets Laughter

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Aniruddhacharya ji
With his deep voice, expressive storytelling, and rhythmic shlokas, Aniruddhacharya Ji has earned a strong reputation in the world of devotional discourse. His pravachans often feel more like theatrical performances — filled with emotion, wisdom, and a genuine love for Sanatan Dharma. He connects especially well with middle-aged and older audiences, who admire his clarity and command over scriptures.
But what truly set him apart from countless other spiritual speakers wasn’t just his knowledge — it was his spontaneous humour. The internet fell in love with his unexpected, sometimes downright hilarious interactions with people attending his events.

Whether it’s pulling a devotee’s leg with a perfectly-timed joke, reacting dramatically to someone’s question, or mock-scolding a listener for zoning out mid-satsang — his unfiltered reactions have become meme material. Clips of his quirky facial expressions, comic timing, and witty one-liners often go viral — not for the spiritual depth, but for the sheer entertainment value.

Instagram and YouTube are flooded with reels of people mimicking his style, adding comic edits, or using his reactions in entirely unrelated scenarios — like exams, dating fails, or office life.
The beauty, however, lies in his balance. Even when he’s funny, it never feels forced or disrespectful. He manages to hold the space for devotion while also making people laugh — a rare combination in the spiritual world.
In a time where attention spans are shrinking, Aniruddhacharya Ji has mastered the art of holding the mic — with bhakti, drama, and just the right dose of desi comedy.

3. Premanand Maharaj – The Singing Saint

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Premanand Maharaj
There’s a softness in his voice and a depth in his kirtans that resonates with the heart. Premanand Ji Maharaj, with his ever-smiling face and devotion-driven presence, has become one of the most loved figures in India’s devotional space online.
He doesn’t chase virality — but it finds him anyway.
Clips of his soulful bhajans, especially the ones recorded in Vrindavan’s serene temples, are now raking in millions of views on YouTube and Instagram. He focuses on love — love for Krishna, love for the divine, and love for humanity. And perhaps, that’s what makes him truly viral — because in a world full of chaos, Premanand offers peace.

4. Ram Bhadracharya – The Scholar Baba

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ram bhadracharya
In an era dominated by clickbait and sound bites, Ram Bhadracharya Ji stands tall as an intellectual giant. A visually impaired scholar, author, and orator — his mastery over Sanskrit, Vedas, and classical scriptures is unparalleled.
While he has been revered in religious circles for decades, it’s social media that has recently introduced his wisdom to a younger, more tech-savvy audience. His deep dives into the Ramcharitmanas and Bhagavad Gita, delivered with emotional precision, often go viral on platforms like YouTube.
Even his critics acknowledge his knowledge. And in an age where sensationalism often overshadows substance, Ram Bhadracharya is proof that pure knowledge still holds power — both online and offline.
Perfect. Here's a balanced, editorial-style write-up for IITian Baba — showing both the intriguing spiritual appeal and the controversial, meme-worthy, and slightly questionable side that has made him trend online:

5. IITian Baba – When Degrees Meet Divinity (and Debate)

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IITian baba
Among the new-age spiritual faces going viral on Indian social media, IITian Baba stands out — not for saffron robes or sanskrit chants, but for his CV. An IIT graduate turned spiritual orator, his followers call him an intellectual guru for the modern world — someone who uses logic, philosophy, and a sprinkle of science to explain life, purpose, and the soul.
To be fair, he’s articulate, well-read, and delivers his thoughts with the confidence of a TED speaker. He speaks in polished Hindi and English, often referencing ancient texts with a contemporary twist. That’s a big part of his appeal — he doesn’t look or talk like a typical baba, which is exactly why millennials and even startup bros tune in.
But dig deeper, and the picture gets murkier.

His rise to internet fame has been equally driven by controversy and criticism. From making statements that sound more like personal opinions than scriptural truths, to engaging in public debates that often border on arrogance, IITian Baba has found himself in hot waters more than once. Many question whether he’s genuinely spiritual or just another educated influencer in a spiritual costume.

Then there’s the tone — while he claims to promote wisdom, some of his lectures come across as elitist or dismissive, especially when addressing those who disagree with him. Critics argue that his delivery often lacks humility, and instead of engaging in open spiritual discourse, he prefers one-sided preaching.
Social media hasn't held back either. Several of his clips have been turned into meme content, especially the ones where he gets visibly irritated during Q&As. Satirical pages now regularly mock his "intellectual baba" persona, calling him a "startup guru in a monk's disguise."

Still, his audience continues to grow — proving that controversy doesn’t always kill credibility. For some, he represents a refreshing mix of brains and bhakti. For others, he’s the symbol of how spiritual branding is evolving — sometimes for better, sometimes for spectacle.

6. Bal Sant Abhinav Arora – The Internet’s Favourite “Child Baba” Meme

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abhinav arora
If there’s one baba who didn’t ask to be a meme but ended up becoming one anyway, it’s Bal Sant Abhinav Arora. The moment his videos hit the internet, Gen Z had a field day. With his dramatic head tilts, slow-motion hand gestures, and a voice that sounds like he’s permanently in a spiritual drama rehearsal — Abhinav unintentionally delivered comedy gold.
People didn’t know whether to say “bless me” or “bro, chill.” It’s not just what he says, it’s how he says it. Picture this: a tiny kid dressed like a saint, channeling the intensity of a Bollywood villain mixed with a motivational speaker — all while barely being old enough to ride a bicycle alone.

From YouTube comments to Instagram reels, Abhinav became the poster boy for “serious for no reason.” Netizens started adding suspense music behind his clips, dubbing them with random dialogues, and even editing in flying effects — turning satsang into sitcom.
One reel showed him giving a “divine discourse” while a voiceover played “Tu kya kar raha hai bhai?” — and somehow, it felt fitting.
Still, the irony is delicious. The more people laugh, the more viral he gets. And knowingly or not, Bal Sant Abhinav has cracked the influencer code: he’s unforgettable. Whether you're watching for wisdom or just for the LOLs, he delivers.

Why Are These Babas Going Viral Now?

There’s a common thread running through all six of these personalities — they speak the language of now.
Be it through well-edited reels, viral shorts, or livestreamed darbars, these babas understand where their audience lives — on the phone.
The nature of virality today doesn’t just depend on wisdom or devotion, but delivery. From ancient Sanskrit verses to WhatsApp forwards, from temple bhajans to Instagram stories — India’s spiritual communication has gone digital.
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trending babas
Not every viral guru is without controversy. And not every viral moment is divine. But these six figures — from the dramatic Bageshwar Baba to the serene Premanand Maharaj — have undeniably changed how India sees and shares its spiritual leaders.

They’ve brought age-old teachings to new-age platforms. And whether you follow them with faith or just curiosity, there’s no denying — they’ve become the faces of India’s digital devotion.

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