Among the saffron-clad pilgrims making their way to Haridwar this monsoon is someone you wouldn't expect, a man from Tokyo who left behind his booming business to follow the path of Lord Shiva.
Who is Hoshi Takayuki?
Hoshi Takayuki, 41, once ran a successful chain of 15 beauty product stores in Japan. But today, he's known by his spiritual name, Bala Kumbha Gurumuni. Dressed like a sadhu and travelling with 20 of his followers, he’s on a special mission: to walk the Kanwar Yatra and reconnect with what he believes is his past life in the Himalayas.
Spiritual journey that began in Tamil Nadu
It all started 20 years ago when Hoshi visited Tamil Nadu and had a session of Nadi astrology, a traditional form of reading based on ancient palm leaves. During the reading, he was told that he had lived a past life in the Himalayas and was destined to follow Hindu spirituality.
Shortly after returning to Tokyo, he had a vivid dream. “I saw myself in Uttarakhand in a past life,” he told TOI over the phone while travelling to Dehradun. “That dream changed everything.”
Life as a devotee of Lord Shiva
Moved by his experiences, Hoshi handed over his business to his followers and embraced a spiritual life. Since then, he has built two Shiva temples, one inside his Tokyo home and another nearby. His devotion runs deep. He now spends his time travelling between Japan and India, spreading his love for Lord Shiva.
He’s currently hosting a two-day food camp for kanwariyas in Dehradun as part of his yatra.
A temple in Puducherry, an ashram in Uttarakhand
Hoshi is not stopping here. According to Ramesh Sundriyal, a friend and long-time resident of Japan who hails from Pauri Garhwal, Hoshi has bought 35 acres of land in Puducherry where he plans to build a large Shiva temple. He’s also planning to open an ashram in Uttarakhand soon.
“I feel a deep connection to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand,” Hoshi says. “I believe I lived here before and I’m still searching for my old village in the hills.”
Inputs from TOI
Who is Hoshi Takayuki?
Hoshi Takayuki, 41, once ran a successful chain of 15 beauty product stores in Japan. But today, he's known by his spiritual name, Bala Kumbha Gurumuni. Dressed like a sadhu and travelling with 20 of his followers, he’s on a special mission: to walk the Kanwar Yatra and reconnect with what he believes is his past life in the Himalayas.
Spiritual journey that began in Tamil Nadu
It all started 20 years ago when Hoshi visited Tamil Nadu and had a session of Nadi astrology, a traditional form of reading based on ancient palm leaves. During the reading, he was told that he had lived a past life in the Himalayas and was destined to follow Hindu spirituality.
Shortly after returning to Tokyo, he had a vivid dream. “I saw myself in Uttarakhand in a past life,” he told TOI over the phone while travelling to Dehradun. “That dream changed everything.”
Life as a devotee of Lord Shiva
Moved by his experiences, Hoshi handed over his business to his followers and embraced a spiritual life. Since then, he has built two Shiva temples, one inside his Tokyo home and another nearby. His devotion runs deep. He now spends his time travelling between Japan and India, spreading his love for Lord Shiva.
He’s currently hosting a two-day food camp for kanwariyas in Dehradun as part of his yatra.
A temple in Puducherry, an ashram in Uttarakhand
Hoshi is not stopping here. According to Ramesh Sundriyal, a friend and long-time resident of Japan who hails from Pauri Garhwal, Hoshi has bought 35 acres of land in Puducherry where he plans to build a large Shiva temple. He’s also planning to open an ashram in Uttarakhand soon.
“I feel a deep connection to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand,” Hoshi says. “I believe I lived here before and I’m still searching for my old village in the hills.”
Inputs from TOI
You may also like
When is Euro 2025 final? Kick-off time and TV channel info as Lionesses learn opponents
Reason 'scared' Lucy Letby can't lose weight as she hoards 'junk food' behind bars
Michelle Agyemang hailed after 'fearless' teen gives Sarina Wiegman Euro 2025 final headache
Dame Laura Kenny opens up about post-pregnancy body image fears at Wimbledon
'I know where Anthony Joshua has gone wrong – nobody will dare tell him'
