Man who claims he hasn’t sat down in five years shares horrifying side effects

Warning: This article contains graphic images and video which some readers may find distressing.

An Indian monk who set himself the goal of not sitting down for 12 years has shown off the horrifying side effects just five years into his challenge.

Doctors are constantly warning people about the health risks involved with sitting down too much and not getting enough exercise, but the current state of Daulat Giri Ji Maharaj suggests that not sitting down at all can also be incredibly bad for us.

Considering that putting our feet up is one of the first things that most people like to do after a full day's work, it seems remarkable that Maharaj hasn't done it at all since 2021, but the monk has a very specific reason for doing so, even if it means putting his health at risk.

Maharaj belongs to a sect known as Khareshwari (“Standing Babas”), whose members take vows to remain standing, something which they believe will help to cleanse their souls and bring them closer to the goddess Shiva.

Since Shiva is regarded as the destroyer of the universe who then allows for new creation and rebirth, it's easy to see why you might want to be on her good side for when the Earth is eventually destroyed.

However, Maharaj might have bigger issues than the eventual destruction of the planet, as doctors are naturally very worried about the state of his legs, which have become blackened and swollen over the past five years.

Reports from India suggest that the monk abandoned his university education in order to dedicate himself fully to the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, something which he believes will only arrive after extreme suffering and sacrifice.

Sadly, that's exactly what he's going through right now as the monk relies entirely on swings and harnesses to keep him upright when his damaged legs threaten to give way, with doctors suggesting that even worse could be on the way.

A quick look at the video below will give you a clue as to exactly how damaged Maharaj's legs have become over the past five years, with health experts noting that standing for such a long period can cause venous pressure to rise, which initially results in swelling and pain, but can quickly degenerate into a life-threatening condition such as deep vein thrombosis.

“When standing still for a long time, the veins in the legs must fight gravity to send blood to the heart, but the lack of pumping action in the calf muscles causes blood to pool in the lower extremities,” one medical expert explained.

But that's not standing in the way (if you'll pardon the pun) of the monk as he's determined to get to the end of his 12 years, and hopes that the volunteers he has caring for him can help him complete his mission, even as he continues to struggle with the severe chronic swelling and skin discolouration.