In an unexpected twist, a man from Prayagraj, called Khunti Guru, who had been missing since the stampede at the Maha Kumbh on January 29, came back home on Tuesday. His sudden return shocked the locals, who had already believed he was dead. Everyone felt happy and relieved to see him back safely.
Khunti Guru, in his 60s, had been absent since the tragic stampede, which led many to believe he was lost in the chaos. A local social worker, Abhai Awasthi, recalled the painful moments, saying, “On the evening of the 28th, he went to the Sangam, telling us that he was going to take a holy dip in the Ganga on Mauni Amavasya, but did not return. Following the stampede a day later, we searched for him everywhere but to no avail. Finally, presuming him dead, we conducted a small prayer for him on Tuesday, followed by a meal for the Brahmins and locals for the peace of his soul.”
As the meal was being prepared for the Brahmins, Khunti Guru suddenly arrived in an e-rickshaw and surprised everyone with his cheerful appearance. Awasthi shared the moment, saying, “However, as the meal was being readied for the Brahmins, our beloved Khunti Guru alighted from an e-rickshaw and asked us smilingly, ‘What are you people up to?’ We were both angry and happy at the same time.” The neighbours quickly turned the somber occasion into a celebration, sharing the puri-sabji and sweets with everyone in the locality to mark his safe return.
Khunti Guru’s mysterious days: ‘A few chillums and lost track of time’
When asked about where he had been for the past few days, Khunti Guru’s response was simple and nonchalant. “I had a few chillums with a group of sadhus. I slept rather long; it could be a few days,” he said with a smile. His casual reply added to the mystique of his disappearance. Khunti Guru explained that he had spent some time in a camp of Naga sadhus, where he served food prepared at various bhandaras (community kitchens) and enjoyed his time with them.
Even with his unconventional lifestyle, Khunti Guru is a beloved figure in his locality, Chahchand Gali. Though he lives alone in a modest 10×12 room, it is a small reminder of his once prosperous past. His father, Kanhaiyala Mishra, was a respected lawyer, and Khunti Guru himself received formal schooling. However, as the years passed, he lost his way and became a familiar figure in the streets of Prayagraj, while the rest of his family moved on.
Khunti Guru now leads a simple, carefree life, known for his friendly nature and amusing stories. Shopkeepers in the area often provide him food and clothing in exchange for his entertaining gossip. Although he has a bed in his room, he prefers to sleep in the compound of a local Shiva temple, where he often engages in conversations with temple priests.
The challenges he has faced, Khunti Guru’s return has brought joy to everyone around him. “Now that he is back with us, nobody is complaining,” said Awasthi, a local who has known Khunti Guru for years. His unexpected return has reminded everyone of the bond of community and the strength of friendship.
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