Self-styled godman Sarathi Baba followers organise grand satsang in Cuttack

After a brief lull, a satsang event of a significant scale in the name of self-styled Godman, Santosh Raul, known as Sarathi Baba to his followers, was held in Cuttack district on Monday.

The sight of the re-emergence of the ‘Sarathi Satsang’ emerged from Rajiba village under Baideswar police limits in Banki block of Cuttack district.

Reports stated that the event consisted of Sarathi's photo atop a stage adorned with flower garlands and a peacock feather placed on its head as his followers performed rituals, including offering flowers and lighting diyas.

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Hundreds of his ‘devotees’ stayed for an extended period while attentively listening to the bhajans and tales of the controversial godman narrated by preachers from the stage, added sources.

Speaking on the intention behind the event, Hitesh Nayak, a preacher and follower of the Sarathi Baba stated that he had no ulterior motive behind the event.

“I conducted the satsang for my internal peace. Since I am an ardent devotee of the baba, I held the event and called upon people who are connected with him to attain a moment of spirituality,” he stated.

The satsang event this year came after followers of the Sarathi Baba observed Janmashtami and Nandotsav at his ashram in Kendrapara’s Barimula in September last year.

In 2015, Sarathi Baba was arrested in a case registered by the Crime Branch of Odisha Police for harassing a woman and her daughter at his Barimula Ashram.

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Thereafter, in 2017, he was interrogated at Choudwar jail by a 5-member team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the manner and amount of funding received by his ashram, the amount of money deposited in the name of the foundation, details of foreign funding, and money invested in real estate before being granted bail in 2019.