Prahlad Jani

Prahlad Jani

Prahlad Jani (Gujarati: પ્રહલાદ જાની), also known as Mataji or Chunriwala Mataji, (13 August 1929 ― 26 May 2020) was an Indian breatharian monk who claimed to have lived without food and water since 1940.

Prahlad Jani was born in Charada village in Mehsana district.[1] According to Jani, he left his home in Gujarat at the age of seven, and went to live in the jungle.[2]

At the age of 12, Jani underwent a spiritual experience and became a follower of the Hindu goddess Amba. From that time, he chose to dress as a female devotee of Amba, wearing a red sari-like garment, jewellery and crimson flowers in his shoulder-length hair.[2] Jani is commonly known as Mataji ("[a manifestation of] The Great Mother"). Jani believes that the goddess provides him with a liquid sustenance[2] or water which drops down through a hole in his palate, allowing him to live without food or drink.[1]

Since the 1970s, Jani has lived as a ashram (hermit) in a cave in the forest in Gujarat, awakening at 4am each day and spending most of his time meditating.[2]

He died on 26 May 2020 at Charada. He was buried at his ashram at Gabbar hill near Ambaji