Indian monk Daulat Giri Ji Maharaj, also known as Dulal Giri Ji Maharaj, has attracted global attention for standing continuously for five years as part of an extreme spiritual vow.

The Hindu sadhu is undertaking a ritual known as Khade Shri Tapasya, a form of severe penance that requires him to remain standing for 12 years without sitting or lying down.

According to a report by South East Asian media outlet Seatizenmedia, his main goal was to witness a spiritual vision of Lord Shiva. He believed that through such extreme suffering and sacrifice he could directly encounter the divine form.

The report added that Maharaj abandoned his university education to dedicate himself fully to the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. He reportedly chose a life of penance, rejecting worldly comforts in the belief that extreme devotion would bring him closer to the deity.

To sustain the demanding vow, Maharaj does not use a bed. Instead, he relies on a specially designed support structure made of thick wooden planks suspended by iron chains, allowing him to rest while remaining upright.

Photos and videos circulating online show the monk resting on a hanging support device, with his legs appearing severely swollen and darkened due to years of continuous standing.

The prolonged strain on his body has reportedly led to serious health complications. His lower-body circulation has been affected, resulting in chronic swelling and skin discolouration.

Volunteers and followers at the temple where he is carrying out the vow provide daily care, regularly cleaning his legs and applying ointments to reduce the risk of infection and manage his condition.

Despite the physical pain and visible impact on his health, Maharaj remains committed to completing the 12-year vow. While he has not yet experienced the vision he seeks, his determination to continue the ritual has made him one of the most talked-about ascetics in India and beyond. (TRIBUNE)