Prayaraj will be hosting Kumbh Mela 2019 starting January 15 and preparations are in full swing. And as sadhus continue to arrive in the temple town, a French baba is grabbing eyeballs. Dressed like a typical Indian sage, this foreigner has become the centre of attraction there. Daniel who speaks in broken Hindi got converted to Hinduism and is now 'Daniel Bhagwan Giri' or better known as 'Bhagwan Giri'.

Wearing saffron clothes, sandal paste on his forehead and sporting blonde hair, Daniel eats with fellow sadhus. He told ANI, "I love sanatan dharma. It is very peaceful. We believe in one God. There is only one spirit that has many names." He added saying, "Prem hai to sab aanand hai (If there is love, there is joy)." Kumbh Mela 2019: Know Date, History, Important Days, Train Bookings for The Religious Gathering of Ardh Kumbh 2019.

Daniel who is associated with Anand Akhara (a monastic centre) has been living in India for the past 30 years. Fellow sadhus address him as 'Gurubhai'. He likes his 'sadhu way of life' and finds it peaceful. Laxman Giri, his fellow at Anand Akhara, told ANI that he practises yoga, dhyaan and bhajan. The 'French Baba' will be attending the Kumbh Mela this year that continues till March.

Kumbh Mela is said to be largest Hindu gathering in the world. It takes place at the confluence of the holy rivers, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. The sacred event happens four times a year in Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj. The Kumbh Mela 2019 will take place in Prayagraj starting from January 15 and go on till March 4. The Uttar Pradesh government has been organising large-scale arrangements for the religious event.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2018 06:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).