A sadhu from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh has died of suspected heat stroke after spending three days meditating in the scorching heat with multiple bonfires all around him. The 70-year-old sadhu had been in deep meditation outdoors in temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius.
Originally residing in Amethi, this sadhu was known as ‘Kamliwale Pagal Baba’ among the locals.
Locals told PTI that Kamliwale Pagal Baba would be performing Panchaguni tapasya from May 23 to 27 at Benipur under Kaira Devi police station. Panchaguni tapasya requires surrounding oneself with fire and the sadhu had been lighting bonfires around him as part of his meditation rituals.
Sambhal Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Mishra said the saint had taken approval from the administration for this tapasya.
Mishra said the seer’s health deteriorated as he continued his meditation. On Sunday, when local villagers saw his condition worsening further, they tried to take him to the district hospital, but he died on the way.
According to his followers, Kamliwale Pagal Baba was dedicated to world peace and freedom from drug addiction. He meditated for cow protection, a national anti-drug campaign, and world peace and welfare, according to his followers. The Times of India reported that his disciples said the sadhu was concerned about global warming.
Sambhal district authorities said this was not the first time the seer was performing the ritual and he had previously performed 23 similar ‘tapasyas’ at different places.
Sambhal deputy district magistrate Vinay Kumar Mishra said the sadhu’s family has been informed about his death.
The heat in northern India is already causing major health concerns, with many areas seeing maximum temperatures reach the high 40s Fahrenheit and authorities advising people to stay indoors.
