Iamaulik7 at 07:12, 10 March 2026

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{{Short description|Indian Hindu spiritual leader and religious storyteller (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox Hindu leader
| name = Aniruddhacharya
| birth_name = Anil Ram Tiwari
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|09|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Jabalpur]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| website = {{URL|https://aniruddhacharya.com}}
| image =
| caption = Aniruddhacharya in 2025
| occupation = Spiritual teacher, religious storyteller
| spouse = Arti Tiwari<ref name="family">{{Cite web |title=Have You Seen Aniruddhacharya Maharaj's Bedroom, Wardrobe? Do You Know His Wife's Name? |url=https://zeenews.india.com/photos/india/aniruddhacharya-wife-wardrobe-bedroom-dharmshala-income-networth-2791554/2791557 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>
| post = Founder, Gauri Gopal Ashram, Vrindavan
| alias = Krishna Baba, Das Aniruddh
}}

'''Aniruddhacharya''' (born '''Anil Ram Tiwari''', 27 September 1989), is an Indian Hindu religious orator and self-styled guru known for his controversial remarks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-31 |title=Aniruddhacharya faces severe backlash, with the internet up in arms against his sexist comment about women: ‘25 saal ki ladki...' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/aniruddhacharya-faces-severe-backlash-with-the-internet-up-in-arms-against-his-sexist-comment-about-women-25-saal-ki-ladki-/articleshow/123009305.cms |access-date=2026-01-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who is Pookie Baba, the viral self-styled guru known for his hilarious remarks? |url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/who-is-pookie-baba-the-viral-self-styled-guru-for-his-hilarious-remarks-752033 |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Wion |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and family ==
Aniruddhacharya was born on 27 September 1989 in [[Jabalpur]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]. His father was a local Hindu priest.<ref name="c411">{{cite web | last=Mishra | first=Manoj | title=कितने पढ़े लिखे हैं अनिरुद्धाचार्य महाराज, 1 कथा की कितनी लेते हैं फीस? | website=TV9 Bharatvarsh | date=2024-08-30 | url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/webstories/education/aniruddhacharya-maharaj-educational-qualification-biography-fee-net-worth | language=hi | access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref><ref name="s860">{{cite web | last=Bose | first=Rakhi | title='Biscuit Baba': Televangelism In The Age Of Reels | website=Outlook India | date=2024-07-29 | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/biscuit-baba-televangelism-in-the-age-of-reels}}</ref>

He studied Hindu scriptures including the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' and the ''[[Ramayana]]'', which later informed his religious discourses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-09 |title=Who is Aniruddhacharya Maharaj? Know more about Pookie Baba’s life journey and net worth |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/who-is-aniruddhacharya-maharaj-know-more-about-pookie-babas-life-journey-and-net-worth/articleshow/114067817.cms |access-date=2026-01-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He is married to Arti Tiwari and has two sons.<ref name="family" />

== Career ==
Aniruddhacharya delivers religious discourses across India, particularly focused on the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and related Hindu scriptures.<ref name="c259">{{cite web | last=Arora | first=Gobind | title=Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj's Net Worth and Earnings: The Wealth Behind the Famous Spiritual Leader | website=Newstrack English | date=2024-08-17 | url=https://english.newstrack.com/entertainment-news/aniruddhacharya-ji-maharajs-net-worth-and-earnings-the-wealth-behind-the-famous-spiritual-leader-461400 | access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref><ref name="j944">{{cite web | last=Stories | first=Asianetnews English | title=Aniruddhacharya Maharaj Net worth: Know his earnings, fees and more | website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd | date=2024-09-07 | url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/webstories/entertainment/aniruddhacharya-maharaj-net-worth-know-his-earnings-fees-and-more-rba-sjfy3s | access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref> He is associated with charitable and religious activities in Vrindavan, including the operation of a Gauri Gopal Ashram that supports community services such as cow protection, an old-age home, monkey welfare, and educational programs.<ref name="Aniruddhacharya Maharaj">{{Cite web |accessdate=16 October 2024 |title=Who is Aniruddhacharya Maharaj – The internet's sensation with a sense of humour that's off the charts |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-who-is-aniruddhacharya-maharaj-the-internets-sensation-with-a-sense-of-humour-thats-off-the-charts-know-about-his-early-life-education-memes-and-more-3629500/lite/ |website=Financial Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=स‍िर पर पल्‍ला, माथे पर ब‍िंद‍िया...कौन हैं अनीरुद्धाचार्य महाराज की पत्‍नी, क्या करती हैं, जानें सबकुछ |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/dharm/who-is-aniruddhacharya-maharaj-wife-arti-tiwari-know-her-biography-in-hindi-famous-pookie-maharaj-details-8860212.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241204023212/https://hindi.news18.com/news/dharm/who-is-aniruddhacharya-maharaj-wife-arti-tiwari-know-her-biography-in-hindi-famous-pookie-maharaj-details-8860212.html |archive-date=2024-12-04 |access-date=2026-01-23 |work=News18 हिंदी |language=hi-IN}}</ref>

== Media appearances ==
* He appeared as a guest on the reality television show ''[[Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment]]'' in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |accessdate=11 August 2024 |title=Laughter Chefs: Dr Aniruddhacharya to appear as special guest; audiences to get unlimited dose of entertainment |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news/laughter-chefs-dr-aniruddhacharya-ji-to-appear-as-special-guest-audiences-to-get-unlimited-dose-of-entertainment-1333692?amp |website=Pinkvilla}}</ref>
* He claimed to decline an offer to participate in ''[[Bigg Boss (Hindi TV series) season 18|Bigg Boss 18]]'', citing that the format did not align with his personal values.<ref name="a507">{{cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Aniruddhacharya declines 'Bigg Boss 18': Offered crores but they are not cultured |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/viral-baba-aniruddhacharya-bigg-boss-18-2588919-2024-08-27 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref name="y606">{{cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=Spiritual Leader Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj reveals the reason behind turning down the offer of Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 18 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/spiritual-leader-aniruddhacharya-ji-maharaj-reveals-the-reason-behind-turning-down-the-offer-of-salman-khan-hosted-bigg-boss-18/articleshow/112903749.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref> But later appeared as a guest during the premiere episode of the show, where he presented a copy of the ''Bhagavad Gita'' to host [[Salman Khan]].<ref>{{Cite web |accessdate=6 October 2024 |title=Bigg Boss 18: Aniruddhacharya blesses contestants, gifts Salman Khan Bhagavad Gita |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/bigg-boss-18-aniruddhacharya-blesses-contestants-gifts-salman-khan-bhagavad-gita-2612100-2024-10-06 |website=India Today}}</ref>

== Public image and controversies ==

Aniruddhacharya has faced public criticism for controversial remarks.

In July 2025, Aniruddhacharya faced criticism after a video of his remarks at the Gauri Gopal Ashram in Vrindavan circulated on social media. In the clip, he commented on women marrying at or after the age of 25, implying that some may have been involved in multiple relationships. The remarks were widely condemned as sexist, prompting criticism from women’s rights groups, lawyers, and public figures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-31 |title=Aniruddhacharya faces severe backlash, with the internet up in arms against his sexist comment about women: ‘25 saal ki ladki...' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/aniruddhacharya-faces-severe-backlash-with-the-internet-up-in-arms-against-his-sexist-comment-about-women-25-saal-ki-ladki-/articleshow/123009305.cms |access-date=2026-01-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In August 2025, he issued an apology following backlash over his remark that "unmarried women have loose character."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Livemint |date=2025-07-26 |title=Aniruddhacharya apologises after outrage over ‘unmarried women have loose character’ remark: ‘Some, not all’ {{!}} Today News |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/aniruddhacharya-apologises-after-outrage-over-unmarried-women-have-loose-character-remark-some-not-all-11753526022652.html |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2024, he issued an apology following backlash over a statement involving [[Lord Shiva]].<ref name="k223">{{cite web | last=प्रसाद | first=पूजा | title=अनिरुद्धाचार्य महराज ने भगवान शिव को लेकर दिया विवादित बयान, संत हुए आग बबूला, अब मांगी माफी | website=News18 हिंदी | date=2024-09-07 | url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/nation/aniruddhacharya-ji-maharaj-controversial-statement-on-lord-shiva-lord-krishna-sadhu-saint-strong-reaction-led-to-his-apology-8664067.html | language=hi | access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref> He has also been criticised for comments regarding clothing and sexual violence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title='Kapdo Ka Bhi Dosh Hota Hai': Spiritual Leader Aniruddhacharya's Remark On Rape Sparks Row - Video |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kapdo-ka-bhi-dosh-hota-hai-spiritual-leader-aniruddhacharyas-remark-on-rape-sparks-row-video-article-112625502 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Times Now}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Suman |first=Ravi |date=2024-06-24 |title=अनिरुद्धाचार्य सोशल मीडिया पर 'मीम मटेरियल' बने हैं तो इसकी वजह उनके ये बयान हैं |trans-title=Aniruddhacharya Becomes 'Meme Material' on Social Media Due to His Statements |url=https://www.thelallantop.com/lallankhas/post/aniruddhacharya-maharaj-controversies-anti-women-statements |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=The Lallantop |language=hi}}</ref>
He has also been the subject of internet memes, particularly for his remarks on topics such as food and daily habits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who is Baba Aniruddhacharya? Meet internet's favourite spiritual guru |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/who-is-baba-aniruddhacharya-meet-internets-favourite-spiritual-guru/ar-BB1qWBHE |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=MSN |agency=Newsable Asianet News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ailawadi |first=Manya |date=2024-07-19 |title=The Internet Has A Favourite Baba & We Are Seriously Considering His Life Lessons At This Point |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/pookie-baba-acharya-ji-maharaj/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=ScoopWhoop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=बिस्किट को 'विष-किट' बताने वाले महाराज को अमेरिका से मिली है डिग्री, जानें कहां तक की है पढ़ाई |trans-title=Aniruddhacharya, who referred to biscuits as 'poison kits,' holds a degree from America. Discover the depth of his education. |url=https://www.aajtak.in/visualstories/religion/aniruddhacharya-maharaj-who-famous-for-saying-biscuits-as-vish-ki-kit-educationl-qualification-he-has-received-the-doctorate-degree-twice-tvism-165892-29-08-2024 |website=Aaj Tak |language=hi}}</ref>

In 2022, he drew widespread criticism after making controversial remarks about women during a religious discourse. He claimed that excessive beauty in women is a fault, suggesting that figures from [[Hindu mythology]] like [[Sita]] and [[Draupadi]] suffered because they were "more beautiful than necessary."<ref name="ThePrint2022">{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-10-19 |title=Preacher booked for derogatory remarks against Hindu deities |url=https://theprint.in/india/preacher-booked-for-derogatory-remarks-against-hindu-deities/1174484/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> The comments were widely condemned as misogynistic and blamed for promoting a victim-blaming mindset. Public figures and social media users criticised the statement, and an [[First information report|FIR]] was filed in [[Mathura]] for allegedly insulting revered female figures of Hinduism.<ref name="ThePrint2022"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aniruddhacharya}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Jabalpur]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian philosophers]]

Aniruddhacharya - Revision history

Iamaulik7 at 07:12, 10 March 2026