Swami Sivananda might very well be 120 years old.
The passport of Swami Sivananda, of Kolkata, marks his birthday as August 8, 1896 - precisely 120 years in 2016.
Staking his claim as the oldest man ever to walk the earth, Swami is clear on how he survived for 120 years, and that too with unbelievable fitness.
Despite his age, he practises yoga for hours everyday.
“I lead a simple and disciplined life. I eat very simply - only boiled food without oil or spices, rice and boiled daal (lentil stew) with a couple of green chillies,” he told AFP.
He said, food without spices, celibacy and yoga are the main reasons behind his long life.
Although his passport record shows that he was born in 1896, it was taken from the registers of the temple, which is the only record for many monks who are much younger than Swami Sivananda, as Hindustan Times reported. There might be chances of the temple records being flawed.
He has made claims to be added in the Guinness Book of World Records.
1. The Passport
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In this photograph Swami Sivananda, who claims to be 120 years old, holds up his passport in the house of one of his followers in Kolkata. The passport reads August 8, 1896, as his birth date. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
2. In Prayer
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Swami Sivananda prays ahead of performing his morning stretches and yoga in Kolkata. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
3. Yogi
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Swami Sivananda, who claims to be 120 years old, practises yoga in Kolkata, at one of his follower's house. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
4. Stretching out
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With the vigour of a man much younger than that of a 120-year-old, Swami Sivananda is seen in this photo stretching before commencing with his yoga routine. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
5. Yogi
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Swami Sivananda claimed that abstinence and no spice in his food are the only reasons behind his long life. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
6. On board
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Swami Sivananda, who claims to be 120 years old, is assisted by followers to board a train from Howrah station on his way to Varanasi from Kolkata.
