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Anand Giri Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Age36 or 38 (sources differ)

BirthplaceBhilwara, Rajasthan

ProfessionSpiritual leader, Yoga guru, Philosopher

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyYoungest of four brothers; father Rameshwar Lal Chotia; mother deceased (early 2021)

Anand Giri Biography

Anand Giri is an Indian spiritual leader and yoga teacher from Bhilwara, Rajasthan, known for his role at the Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj and his long

Early life and background

Anand Giri was born Ashoka Chotia in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. He left his ancestral home as a young boy and went to Haridwar, where he began training under Mahant Narendra Giri. He adopted the name Anand Giri after receiving diksha in front of his family during a visit with his guru. He is reported to have studied at Banaras Hindu University and to hold a Ph.D. in Yoga Tantra.

He is the youngest of four brothers; his father is named Rameshwar Lal Chotia and his mother died in early 2021. His family background is tied to a rural upbringing in Sareri village, Asind tehsil, Bhilwara.

Career

Anand Giri rose through the ranks of the sannyasi tradition to become a prominent figure associated with the Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani. He served as a mahant at the Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj and was also linked with Math Baghambri Gaddi before a public falling-out with his guru and the akhara leadership.

He presents himself as a yoga guru and Vedic scholar; his profile lists skills in Sanskrit grammar, Ayurveda, and Vedic philosophy. He has conducted yoga workshops for various groups, including members of the armed forces and corporate executives, and says he has been a guest lecturer at several universities. He is also the author of a book about Prayagraj, released at the Kumbh Mela in 2013, and leads a campaign framed as a river-cleaning effort for the Ganga under an organization named Sri Maa Ganga Nirmal Sanrakshan Samiti.

Anand Giri has travelled widely for his work, with reported visits to countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and nations in Southeast Asia. His public presence includes photographic accounts of travel and vehicles, and his social media activity has been noted for showing a lifestyle that observers describe as non-ascetic.

Public profile

He is identified publicly by several names, including Swami Anand Giri and earlier as Chhote Maharaj when he held the mahant position at the Bade Hanuman temple. His followers and institutions associated with him emphasize his spiritual training that included seclusion and practice in Himalayan sites such as Kedar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.

Controversies have been a significant element of Anand Giri’s public profile. He was detained in Sydney in 2019 on allegations of molestation and appeared before local courts in Australia. In 2021 he was expelled from his position within the akhara amid disputes with Mahant Narendra Giri over conduct and property matters. That conflict led to a period of mutual accusations between the two men, involving claims about land transactions and financial management.

Following the death of Mahant Narendra Giri in September 2021, Anand Giri was accused in police filings of abetment of suicide after the late mahant named him in a note and in a recorded message. Anand denied wrongdoing, called the events a conspiracy to implicate him, and described concerns he had previously raised about the treatment of others and alleged irregularities. He was detained and questioned in relation to the inquiry and held in judicial custody for a period.

Latest updates

At different times Anand Giri faced further allegations and disputes with other religious figures over control of monastic properties. Leaked audio material and public statements by other mahants added to the controversies surrounding his claims and actions. In public appearances and through his organization he has continued to present himself as a yoga teacher, author, and advocate for Ganga cleanliness.

Personal life

Anand Giri is unmarried. Public summaries list his religion as Hinduism and his caste as Brahmin. His reported height is approximately 1.73 m (5 feet 8 inches), with black hair and black eyes. Sources give his year of birth as either 1983 or 1985, producing age estimates in the mid-to-late 30s depending on the source. He maintains a public-facing persona that includes international travel and activity as a teacher and speaker.
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Recent Work

Swarn Bhoomi Prayag

Book on the history and cultural significance of Prayagraj, released at the Kumbh Mela in 2013.

2013
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Career Highlights

  1. Mahant at the Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj
  2. Mahant of Math Baghambri Gaddi (prior to expulsion)
  3. Author of a book on Prayagraj released at the Kumbh Mela
  4. Leads a campaign focused on cleaning the river Ganga
  5. Conducted yoga workshops for armed forces and corporate groups; guest lecturer at multiple universities
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anand Giri known for?

Spiritual leader, Yoga guru, Philosopher

What is Anand Giri’s marital status?

Unmarried