While I was growing up, I loved to collect leaves, I would love to know about different kinds of plant species and the characteristics of their leaves. I still remember carefully sticking them into my scrapbook and flaunting them to friends and family when they’d come.
As of today, I love to collect lipsticks/earrings/packaged food and mostly spare dabbas and lawaris poly bags. Basically, it took me some 15-20 years to become a hoarder from a proper collector. I now hoard everything I can afford.
While I can call myself a hoarder, this babaji who loves to own gold is hailed by the public as Golden Babaji. Known as , he is so passionate about owning gold that it’s surreal.
Hindustan Times reported that Golden Babaji has some 14.5 kgs of gold which include a collection of 21 gold chains, 21 lockets of deities, armlets and a shiny golden jacket. He is currently participating in the annual Kanwar yatra, which is a 200 km route from Haridwar to Delhi.
Sudhir Makkar, as he was known before people named him Golden Bababji, also fancies cars. He travels in a cavalcade of 16 vehicles that have 18 bouncers and eight security officers to take care of his gold while he is on the run.
Sudhir was not always a Godman. When he was 6, he was sent to a Gurukul. Later, he wandered to the pious city of Haridwar in search of work. But things changed for him soon. In fact, before turning to spiritualism, he owned successful cloth and property business in Gandhi Nagar, Delhi. He said,
“Later, my business flourished with the grace of lord Shiva. I sold jeans, shirts and jackets with the brand name Bittu. Even the property business flourished as I got completely devoted to Shiva.”
Baba owns a BMW, three Fortuners, two Audi and two Innova cars that are a part of the caravan that follow him. Sitting on the top of his BMW, he gives his devotees darshan. He wears a 27 lakh Rolex watch on his hand. Talking about his fetish for gold he said,
He has devotees in men, women and children, alike. When he is on the yatra, people come to touch his feet, take his blessings and click pictures with him. Speaking about the love and affection he gets from the public, he said,
“It is out of affection that everyone loves me, more so as I wear gold. Throughout the route, people from all communities, including Muslims, shower love on me and cheer me up.”
Now isn’t that something? 55-year-old Golden Babaji is living the dream. He owns a posh flat in Ghaziabad, Delhi. His devotees say that Babaji has a lot of properties which can account upto Rs. 150 Crores. As Babaji has no kin, all his gold and properties will go to his favourite disciple.
I don’t know about you, but my fascination with Bappi da seems sort of over. I am sorry but, tough luck, Bappi da!