Hinduism holds the most revered form of spiritual revelations that have attracted millions of people from foreign land across centuries. The American Dream or so-called materialistic living has pushed present-day humans towards oblivion with no form of complete satisfaction or peace. To shed the shroud of wants, several men and women have sought the path of spirituality that India has to offer.
One such person is Ben, now fondly called Ben Baba. Ben is a 29-year-old techie-turned-saint from Switzerland who left his occupation and lifestyle and headed to India on foot five years ago in search of peace of mind.
As for his family, Ben has his parents and a brother. His mother used to work at a yoga center in Switzerland where he used to live, and subsequently, acquired an interest in Yoga, Spirituality, and Hinduism.
While working, Ben earned about 10 euros per hour in Switzerland by web designing and other IT services. He had a home, car, and luxurious life, but his heart’s contentment was amiss.
He had to walk across 18 countries covering thousands of kilometers to come to India and has decided to settle in Himachal Pradesh. It took him 4 years to reach the country. Whenever he reached the country and whatever border was about to come, he applied for a visa in advance.
Baba remains barefoot not just while walking, but all the time. He reached Haridwar for Kumbh Mela after 25-days of walking from Kangra, Himachal.
The former web developer has got rid of all gadgets and no longer keeps a mobile phone with him. His only possessions are a small bag and a steel water pot. Even today he walks several kilometers barefoot and makes a living by asking for alms and sleeps under the open sky at night.
Also, the man speaks fluent Hindi despite being a citizen of Switzerland. He can also recite Gayatri Mantra and Ganga Aarti and is seen walking on the banks of the Ganges.