Amar Bharati

Amar Bharati at the Kumbha Mela 2001, having raised his arm for 25 years

Amar Bharati is an Indian Sadhu or ascetic who is known for claiming to have kept his right arm raised for 50 years in a testament of his devotion to the Hindu deity Shiva, and as a call for world peace.[1]

Description

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Bharati worked as a clerk in New Delhi until he quit his job and left his family and friends in 1970 in order to develop his devotion to Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. After quitting his job, he felt like he was still connected to his old life and raised his arm starting in 1973 as a sign of his devotion and "to militate against wars and support world peace".[2][3] He spent two years of his life in severe pain by doing this, but later lost all sensation in his arm. The muscles in his arm atrophied during this time.[4][5] Many of his followers have taken inspiration from his actions, calling it a "beacon of hope" and even raising their own arms for years.[6]

References

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  1. ^ https://greekreporter.com/2023/08/25/indian-ascetic-holding-arm-up-world-peace/
  2. ^ Ali, Mehr (2021-12-16). "Man has held his hand raised for more than 45 years". The Khaama Press News Agency. Archived from the original on 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  3. ^ "Meet the man whose arm has been raised for almost 50 years". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  4. ^ Andrei Tapalaga. "The Man Who Held His Hand Raised for 45 Years". historyofyesterday.com. Archived from the original on 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  5. ^ "La historia de Amar Bharati, el hombre que tiene levantado su brazo hace 49 años". www.airedesantafe.com.ar (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  6. ^ "Man raises arm for 38 years". au.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2022-11-01.