The baba is popular in Unnao and neighbouring areas, but he has no opulent bungalow, no limousines nor any ashram fitted with air-conditioners. Watching Shobhan Sarkar, nobody can believe he can predict the existence of 1,000 tonnes of hidden gold.
A man of average build, wheatish complexion, aged 51 years, Shobhan Sarkar gets his head, moustache and beard fully shaved. He does not wear cloth on his upper torso. From the waist below, he wraps a saffron dhoti, and uses part of the dhoti to cover his shaved head. No ear rings, no string of beads on his neck. The baba always stays without footwear.
