By Sakshi Arora

Copyright timesnownews

India has always been the land where the mystical sits comfortably alongside the modern. From tech hubs to temple bells, from yoga mats in skyscrapers to ashrams tucked in the hills, spirituality continues to run through the country’s veins. And in the 21st century, spirituality doesn’t just mean deep meditation or chanting hymns—it’s also about running global organisations, publishing bestsellers, commanding TV audiences, and in some cases, building empires worth thousands of crores. Yes, India’s top spiritual gurus are not just custodians of age-old wisdom; they are also some of the most influential and wealthy figures in the country. Curious about who’s sitting cross-legged on cushions stuffed with influence and fortune? Let’s meet the big names who have built vast legacies—both spiritual and financial. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Sadhguru is one of the most recognised faces of Indian spirituality. Founder of the Isha Foundation, he has fans in Silicon Valley boardrooms as well as rural Indian villages. According to The Times of India, his net worth is pegged at Rs 18 crore (2023). Beyond his popular Inner Engineering programmes, Sadhguru is also behind massive ecological drives such as Rally for Rivers. Fun fact: his motorcycle trips across India are as famous as his meditation sessions—proof that enlightenment sometimes comes with a leather jacket. According to Sadhguru’s team, the bikes and cars he uses are gifted and often employed for charity purposes. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar The man with the double “Sri” has a following that stretches across 151 countries and claims more than 300 million devotees. Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar began studying Vedic texts at the age of six and was already through with his formal education by seventeen (India Today). Today, his empire includes healthcare centres, educational institutions, and peace-building missions. The Times of India estimates his wealth at Rs 1000 crore. His signature breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya, is said to melt stress faster than ice cream in the Chennai heat. Baba Ramdev Arguably the most entrepreneurial guru in India, Baba Ramdev turned yoga from a morning exercise into a mass movement and then into a consumer empire. His Patanjali Ayurveda products now sit in kitchens, bathrooms, and medicine cabinets across the nation. Hailing from a humble farming family in Haryana, he once spent years teaching yoga in Haridwar before the big break came. Today, his ventures are estimated to cross Rs 1600 crore in worth. Love him or roll your eyes at his headstands, Ramdev undeniably made “going herbal” a billion-rupee lifestyle. Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) Known worldwide as the “hugging saint,” Amma has embraced millions of people—literally. Born in Kerala in 1953, she built the Amritanandamayi Trust, which runs hospitals, schools, and extensive humanitarian programmes. Her assets, reported by The Times of India, stand at about Rs 1500 crore. While other gurus speak, Amma prefers hugs, and for many, that simple human contact is as healing as any sermon. One fun tidbit: she once hugged 50,000 people in a single day. Now that’s stamina. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh A controversial figure, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh remains one of the most well-known spiritual leaders in India. Heading the Dera Sacha Sauda since 1990, he has attracted massive followings, particularly among Dalit and Harijan communities. His net worth is estimated at around Rs 1455 crore. Known for blending devotion with flamboyance, Ram Rahim even starred in his own action-packed films, where he cast himself as the saviour-hero. Subtlety was never his style. Asaram Bapu Once among the most powerful spiritual figures in the country, Asaram Bapu’s story is a mix of vast empire and deep controversy. His organisation runs over 350 ashrams worldwide and controls 17,000 Bal Sanskar Kendras. Reports in 2021 suggested that his trust generated revenues of Rs 350 crore annually. Regardless of his later downfall, his network of followers and institutions reflects the scale of influence spiritual leaders can wield. Swami Nithyananda If spiritual leaders could be ranked for theatrics, Nithyananda would win hands down. Founder of the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Foundation, his empire includes temples, ashrams, and gurukuls across continents. His reported net worth is a staggering Rs 10,000 crore (Times of India). Known for bold claims—such as discovering a country of his own, “Kailaasa”—Nithyananda is proof that in modern India, a guru can be as much a headline-maker as a mystic. Jagatguru Kripalu Maharaj Regarded as one of the most revered saints of the modern era, Jagatguru Kripalu Maharaj founded the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, which manages temples, hospitals, schools, and spiritual centres in India and abroad. Though he passed away in 2013, his institutions continue to thrive, with assets and charitable projects valued at over Rs 1000 crore according to reports. He was often called the “Fifth Original Jagatguru,” a rare title in the Hindu tradition, and was known for weaving philosophy with bhakti (devotion) in ways that resonated deeply with both scholars and laymen. His legacy proves that influence doesn’t fade with time—it multiplies. The Curious Case of Influence and Wealth It’s easy to think of spirituality as a renunciation of material gain, but in India, the two often walk hand in hand. These gurus are not just guiding souls; they are building institutions, shaping economies, influencing politics, and even dictating consumer trends. Whether you see them as saints, entrepreneurs, or cultural icons, their reach is undeniable. One could argue that India has perfected the art of merging faith with fortune. From a hug worth crores to yoga turned into toothpaste and noodles, the stories of these gurus show how deeply intertwined spirituality and business have become in the modern age.