Man with 14 inch TAIL Indian worshipped as a reincarnation of a monkey god

Indian tea picker Chandre Oraon, 35, has grown a 14.5-inch hairy tail

Villagers in West Bengal believe he is an incarnation of Hindu monkey god

Tail is a result of a birth defect, but followers believe it has healing power



A man with a 14.5-inch hairy tail growing from his back has been hailed as a god by villagers in India.

Chandre Oraon, 35, was born with a patch of hair on his lower back and has refused to have it cut, leading to locals believing that he is an incarnation of Hindu monkey deity Hanuman.

Worshippers travel hundreds of miles to queue up outside his house in Alipurduar, West Bengal, to seek blessings by touching his tail.

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Monkey business: Chandre Oraon, 35, from West Bengal, has a 14.5inch tail, leading to locals believing that he is an incarnation of Hindu monkey deity Hanuman.

Tail as old as time: Chandre Oraon shows his 14.5-inch hairy tail at his house in Jalpaiguri, India

Mr Oraon, who works as a tea picker, said: ‘I am Hanuman. People have a lot of respect for me because of my tail. I don't mind the tail at all. It is a gift by god.’

His followers see his ability to climb trees as proof that he is Hanuman, and believe he has healing powers.

Monika Lakda, who had travelled overnight to see Mr Oraon at his small makeshift shrine, said: ‘My brother's son was once very unwell and had fever.

‘We gave him medicine but it did not work. So we came to Chandre to seek his blessings. The baby recovered soon after that.

‘We believe that Chandre is an incarnation of Hanuman. They say he was born on the Holy Hanuman day. So we have faith in him.’

Family photo: Mr Oraon stands in front of posters showing Hanuman the Monkey God at a shrine in his house in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Holy hair: Mr Oraon has not had the hair growing on his lower back cut since he was a child, and believes it is a gift from the Hindu gods

Holy man: Chandre Oraon gives his blessings to one of his many followers who has travelled to his village to meet the 'monkey god man'

Monkey man: An Indian man dressed as a monkey god Hanuman, the Hindu deity the villagers believe Mr Oraon represents (stock image)

Doctors have offered to have the long tail removed, something which Chandre has vehemently resisted.

He said: ‘Once my mother chopped of my tail when I was young. Soon after, I got a high fever and I was very sick. My mother told me that I almost died.

‘After that, everyone said I must keep the tail. My family said they felt me getting sick was a sign that my tail was divine.’

HOW SPINA BIFIDA CAN AFFECT SUFFERERS' BODIES

Spina bifida is a fault in the development of the spine and spinal cord which leaves a gap in the spine.

It occurs when something goes wrong during the first month of an embryo's development meaning the spinal column doesn't close fully.

Exactly why this happens is not known but the most significant risk factor that has been identified is a lack of folic acid before pregnancy and in the very early weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms of the condition include learning difficulties, paralysis of the lower limbs and incontinence.

Spina bifida occulta is the least serious type of spina bifida and causes just a very small opening in the spine.

This opening tends to be covered with skin so the gap is not visible externally, as it can be with other forms of spina bifida.

However, this skin often contains a hairy patch or a birth mark.

It usually does not cause any symptoms meaning most people are unaware they have the condition.

Spina bifida affects about one child in every 2,500.

Source: NHS Choices

Mr Oraon’s tail is a result of the birth defect spina bifida, which can result in lower-back growths or, as in Mr Oraon’s case, a tuft of hair, which can grow into a tail if left uncut.

Spina bifida occurs when the spinal column does not close all of the way down – it is one of the most common permanently disabling birth defects.

It is highly likely that Mr Oraon was born with a form of spina bifida called spina bifida occulta.

A spokesperson for Shine, a spina bifida charity, told MailOnline that it is quite common for children with spina bifida to have a hairy patch on their back.

Mr Oraon's uncle, Baldev Ram, said: ‘With age, his tail has also been growing longer. So, we realised very early that he has the blessings of God.’

Despite having found fame as a revered Godman, Mr Oraon admits it wasn't always easy.

He said: ‘When I was young, kids in the village used to make fun of me and my tail.

'They used to laugh. They used to pull my tail just for fun.’

And he revealed that his tail was also a turn-off for the ladies - with his family saying over 20 women rejected his romantic advances before he met wife Maino, 38.

He said: ‘A few women rejected my proposals. I had gone to see a girl once. She immediately noticed that I have a tail.



'She refused to marry me there and then. She said to my face it was because of my tail.’

Mr Oraon married Maino, 38, in 2007, before the couple had a daughter, five-year-old Radhika.

He is persevering with plans to build his own temple so he can offer mass blessings.