Millions of devotees continue to be in thrall to self-professed saints despite their dodgy track records
, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader who runs a charity in the southern Indian state of Kerala, has reportedly embraced 40m people from across the world. Devotees queue up for hours to receive her “healing hugs”, and those farther afield can pay for via the internet. She is one of India’s many “godmen” and “godwomen”, as the spiritual entrepreneurs are known.
People flock to gurus to seek divine assistance in every part of their lives, be it the birth of a child, a promotion at work, the purchase of a new car or to treat a disease. Many believers use them like they would therapists and counsellors, says Bhavdeep Kang, author of “Gurus: Stories of India’s Leading Babas”. Some holymen offer little more than incantations, while others see money-making opportunities.
But there are some with more insidious motives: spiritual guides are serving time for crimes including rape, sexual assault, kidnapping and tax evasion. One charlatan was arrested for peddling “miracle oil” to a pregnant woman whose in-laws demanded a boy. Another controversial guru named, famous for conjuring gold rings, amulets, watches and necklaces by sleight of hand, was accused of money-laundering. Dignitaries at his funeral in 2011 included Manmohan Singh, then India’s prime minister.
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