INDIA
Nand Giri Maharaj weighs 18 kilograms and cannot stand up or walk. He is looked after by his disciple, Umesh.
An 18-inch tall dreadlocked 'Naga sadhu' or Hindu holy man, wearing rosary beads, with dreamy eyes, considered as the "world's smallest saint" is grabbing eyeballs at the 'Kumbh Mela', the world's largest religious festival.
Narayan Nand Giri Maharaj, a 55-year-old saint, has become the centre of attraction for devotees, who seek his blessings in the northern pilgrimage town of Haridwar.
Nand Giri Maharaj weighs 18 kilograms and cannot stand up or walk. He is looked after by his disciple, Umesh.
"People seek his blessings and they feel very nice…they click selfies with him, offer prayers," said Umesh.
Narayan Nand Giri Maharaj, 55, is 18 inches tall and weighs 40 lbs. He cannot stand up or walk and is looked after by his disciple pic.twitter.com/UCnWAONM7B
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 30, 2021
Meanwhile, a saint covered with beads is also drawing the attention of devotees, who are making a beeline to seek his blessings as they believe interacting with the holy man is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Many of the ascetics, who worship the Hindu God Shiva, belong to monastic orders called Akharas and live in remote caves, stepping out for the Kumbh Mela, generally held once every three years in four cities
Most of the Nagas enter the lifecycle of an ascetic in their early teens, leaving behind their families and worldly possessions to answer the call of Shiva and follow in his footsteps - devoting their lives in his prayers.
They renounce their friends and families to embrace the circle of fellow Nagas - immersing themselves in deep meditations, rigorous yoga, learning religious rituals and scriptures and seeking the highest form of spirituality.
It takes six years of celibate life, 12 years of rigorous prayers to Lord Shiva before an ascetic is conferred the revered title of a Naga.
‘India and Pakistan should bury the past’: Nawaz Sharif after S Jaishankar's visit
JEE Main 2025: NTA releases important notice on JEE Main exam pattern
Big blow to Mukesh Ambani as Reliance Jio loses 10.9 million subscribers due to...
Joe Biden reacts to Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar's killing, says 'that obstacle no longer exists but...'
Viral video: Desi girl's sizzling dance to 'Aaj Ki Raat' impresses internet, watch
Watch: Heartwarming video of girl treating slippers like a baby goes viral
Earn Rs 250000000 through THIS NASA challenge: Here’s how you can participate
DNA TV Show: Bahraich murder accused shot in police encounter near Nepal border; 5 held
Good news for Narayana Murthy, Infosys net profit rises to Rs 6,506 crore
Tamannaah Bhatia questioned by ED in Guwahati in money laundering case, details inside
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel PM Netanyahu confirms
UGC NET June 2024 Result DECLARED: NTA announces UGC NET 2024 June exam result online, check here
Did IDF eliminate Yahya Sinwar, or has Martyr been born in Gaza?
Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar among 3 killed by Israel? Israel Defense Forces updates
Kangana Ranaut's Emergency finally cleared by CBFC, new release date...
Here's the film after which Shah Rukh Khan started drinking, his co-stars were Aishwarya Rai and...
Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta live on 27th floor of Rs 15000 crore Antilia, here's why
Young entrepreneur’s Rahul Sachdeva journey to make foreign education accessible
Is Rajinikanth's Poes Garden home flooded amid Chennai rains? Here's the truth behind viral video
'My family is broken but..': Zeeshan Siddiqui's first reaction to father Baba Siddiqui's death
DNA Auto Award 2024 Has Spoken: Jawa 42 FJ, bringing Neo-classic revolution in Motor Industry
Apple iPad 10th gen vs iPad 9th gen: Should you buy or wait for iPad 11?
Nita Ambani's hairstylist explains why haircuts can't fix damage and offers solutions
Bigg Boss Kannada's Kiccha Sudeepa retires from hosting duties, says 'let's make this season...'
Air India flight from Mumbai transmits emergency signal over London, claims Flight tracker
Elon Musk applauds India's decision: Spectrum allocation favors open access and innovation
BIG UPDATE on IPL auction, Saudi Arabia to host event, will take place on...
Two Bahraich violence accused shot by police in encounter while fleeing to Nepal; 5 held
'I won’t be returning': South African legend bids farewell to Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2025
Indian stargazers spot rare, ancient comet after 80,000 years, see breathtaking pics
'46 all-out new 36 all-out?': Cricket Australia trolls India after batting collapse vs New Zealand
Karwa Chauth 2024: Know the date, timings, history and significance
Mukesh Ambani's Jio superhit 5G plan, offers 90 days validity with unlimited data
IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli equals THIS unwanted record with 9-ball duck against New Zealand in 1st Test
Proba-3: ISRO to launch ESA Solar Eclipse Mission with precision satellites
'Law not blind': Supreme court makes 2 BIG CHANGES, unveils new justice lady and replaced…
J-K: Several CRPF Jawans injured in road accident in Budgam, probe underway
Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna named CJI Chandrachud's successor, could become next Chief Justice?
Mukesh Ambani's BIG move: Reliance investors to get this DIWALI bonanza, know details here
'Ravan ko kisne maara?' This kid's hilarious answer will leave your in splits, WATCH viral video
Nayab Singh Saini takes oath as Haryana CM in presence of PM Modi, BJP brass
IND vs NZ: India all out for 46 runs, lowest test score at home
Hunter's Moon 2024: NASA drops first glimpse of brightest Supermoon, shares its significance
Meet man, IIT graduate who worked for Indian Railways, then went on to join Elon Musk's...
IND vs NZ: Devon Conway takes one hand blunder, gets Sarfaraz Khan on duck, watch video here
IND vs NZ test: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma fail to impress, India 3 wickets down in first 10 overs
Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani have 'great skin and features' reveals celebrity makeup artist
CJI Chandrachud decides on his successor, nominates…
Delhi Police initiates probe in 7 hoax threats to flights, registers FIR
Meet Nikita Porwal, Aishwarya Rai's fan, Miss India 2024 winner who works as...
Phone call paved way to long-lasting friendship between Ratan Tata, Amrish Puri, know how