Left Home to Visit Church, Reached Magh Mela Instead: WhatsApp Status Reveals Youth from Raebareli Has Become a Monk

Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh:
What began as a routine outing on New Year’s Day turned into a life-altering decision that left an entire family in shock. A 22-year-old youth from Raebareli, who told his family he was going to a church on January 1, instead travelled to Prayagraj’s Magh Mela, where he embraced ascetic life. The family learnt of the dramatic transformation not through a phone call—but via a WhatsApp status.

The youth, identified as Amar Kamal Rastogi, had been missing for three days, triggering anxiety and frantic searches by his family. His mobile phone remained switched off, and relatives could provide no information about his whereabouts. When the phone finally became active, the family was stunned to see a WhatsApp update announcing that Amar had renounced worldly life and become a monk.

Family Rushes to Prayagraj, Son Refuses to Return

Alarmed and distressed, Amar’s mother Soni and his sisters rushed to Prayagraj to confront him at the Magh Mela. Initially, Amar reportedly refused to even recognize his mother, though he later embraced her emotionally. Despite repeated pleas and emotional appeals from his family, he firmly declined to return home.

Amar informed them that he had taken initiation under Swami Gopal Das and had formally adopted the path of renunciation.

‘I Have Given Up Worldly Attachments’

According to family members, Amar declared that he had abandoned material desires and emotional bonds and would now strictly follow the discipline of monastic life. His unwavering resolve has left his family heartbroken and the entire neighbourhood abuzz with discussion.

Mother in Shock

Recalling the ordeal, Amar’s mother said that when her son left home on January 1, there was nothing unusual in his behavior. “We thought he had gone to church. When he didn’t return and his phone stayed off, we feared the worst,” she said. “We never imagined we would find him as a monk.”

Local Community Stunned

The sudden spiritual turn in the life of the young man has become a topic of intense discussion in Raebareli, with many expressing disbelief at how abruptly Amar chose a path of renunciation.

While the family continues to hope that time may change his mind, Amar Kamal Rastogi appears determined to walk the path he believes has given his life a new purpose—leaving behind a stunned family struggling to accept a decision revealed through a digital status update.