- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
INDIA
Kumbh Mela 2021: At 18 inches, Nand Giri Maharaj is the 'world's smallest saint'
Nand Giri Maharaj weighs 18 kilograms and cannot stand up or walk. He is looked after by his disciple, Umesh.
Updated : Mar 30, 2021, 06:42 PM IST
 "Kumbh Mela 2021 Naga Sadhu")
TRENDING NOW
)
Before Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik, actress Rida Isfahani's MMS video leaked online by...
)
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
)
Gandii Baat, XXX actress Aabha Paul sets Instagram on fire with hot photos
)
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan tells Amitabh Bachchan: 'I hope people don't...'
)
Nayanthara Beyond The Fairytale: Who is Nayanthara's ex-lover who asked her to quit cinema?
)
Amitabh Bachchan praises Abhishek Bachchan's new film, netizens ask 'kash ye Aishwarya...'
)
7 times XXX, Gandii Baat actress Aabha Paul crashed the internet by flaunting her sexy curves
)
After separation from ex-wife Saira Banu, AR Rahman makes major announcement: 'I am deeply grateful to...'
)
Shweta Tiwari's wedding photos with Bigg Boss 13 contestant Vishal Aditya Singh go viral, here's the truth behind them
)
This Pakistani Influencer's private video leaked online, days after Minahil Malik and Insha Rehman's clips
)
Meet Mathira Khan, Pakistani influencer whose private video leaked after Minahil Malik, Imsha Rehman
)
Mukesh Ambani's Jio to get tough competition from BSNL, plan provides unlimited benefits for less than Rs...
)
'Good to be back': After breaking up with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor reunites with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'
)
From swanky cars to multi-crore houses: Step inside AR Rahman's ultra-lavish lifestyle with net worth of Rs 17280000000
)
After breakup with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor dedicates his new tattoo to this special person in his life
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.
