A sadhu in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal has died of suspected heatstroke after meditating for three days in scorching heat with several bonfires lit around him. The sadhu was 70 years old, and performing deep meditation outdoors amid temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius.
The sadhu, originally a resident of Amethi, was known among local residents as 'Kamliwale Pagal Baba'.
A local resident told PTI that Kamliwale Pagal Baba planned to perform Panchagni 'tapasya' from May 23 to May 27 in Benipur, which falls under the Kaila Devi police station. The Panchagni tapasya requires one to surround themselves with fire, and the sadhu had lit bonfires around him as part of the meditation ritual.
For the tapasya, the saint had taken approval from the administration, Sub Divisional Magistrate of Sambhal Vinay Kumar Mishra said.
As the seer continued with his meditation, Mishra said, his health deteriorated. On Sunday, upon seeing his health condition deteriorate further, the local villagers tried to take him to the district hospital. However, he died on the way.
According to his followers, Kamliwale Pagal Baba was devoted to the cause of world peace and freedom from drug addiction. They said he was meditating for the protection of cows, the national drug deaddiction campaign, and world peace and welfare. A Times Of India report also quoted a disciple as saying that the sadhu was concerned about global warming.
Sambhal district officials said it was not the seer's first time performing the ritual, adding that he had performed similar ‘tapasya’ 23 times at different places.
Sambhal Sub Divisional Magistrate Vinay Kumar Mishra said the family members of the sadhu had been informed about his death.
The heat in northern India has already created a major health concern. Many regions are seeing maximum temperatures in the late 40s, with the authorities advising people to stay indoors.