Police have arrested a popular Indian spiritual guru for an alleged sexual assault on a 16-year-old schoolgirl at a religious retreat, a local official says.

Asaram Bapu, one of many self-styled Hindu "godmen" who attract large numbers of followers, was arrested shortly after midnight on Sunday in the central town of Indore.

Asaram Bapu: Spiritual guru accused of sexual assault on a 16-year-old schoolgirl at a religious retreat in central India. Credit:AFP

The 72-year-old was then flown to the western city of Jodhpur where the alleged assault on the girl - whose parents were members of his congregation - took place, local deputy police commissioner Ajay Pal Lamba said.

The guru had earlier failed to report to a police station voluntarily, despite being given a deadline that ended last Friday.