Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj does not walk among his people. He glides above them, enclosed in an air-conditioned glass cabin that transports him as dozens of followers bow as he passes.
The Indian spiritual leader was already known for always moving around surrounded by portable cold-air units, even outdoors. Now, that comfort has become a scene many find disturbing: women and children approach the glass, touch the ground he passes over, and kiss his feet seeking a blessing.
The images circulate as an unsettling portrait of devotion and power. On the inside, the coolness of an air-conditioned cube. On the outside, the faith of those who believe that kneeling before him is worth any sacrifice.
