An Indian priest born with a massive facial tumour is worshipped by local villagers as a god.

Dabul Mishra, 32, from Shahjehanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh, was born with a condition that caused his face and lips to grow to outsized proportions.

He has almost exhausted his savings trying to get the tumour removed and now works in a local temple to support his family - because he refuses to beg.

Indian priest Dabul Mishra, who was born with a massive facial tumour, is worshipped by local villagers as a god

Dabul Mishra, 32, from Shahjehanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh, was born with a condition that caused his face and lips to grow to outsized proportions. Pictured: Women bowing their heads as Dabul sits on the floor

But some villagers in Shahjehanpur actually see the deformity as a blessing - believing him to be an incarnation of the god Lord Jambavantha, who is depicted with a bear-like face.

Dabul currently lives in poor conditions with his blind wife and children - but has not lost hope.

He said: 'I was born with this condition but never took to begging because of my self-respect.

He has almost exhausted his savings trying to get the tumour removed and now works in a local temple to support his family - because he refuses to beg. Pictured: Dabul with this three children

But some villagers in Shahjehanpur actually see the deformity as a blessing - believing him to be an incarnation of the god Lord Jambavantha, who is depicted with a bear-like face

'Although I consider this as a curse, the people have now found a god in me and worships me as an incarnation of Lord Jambavantha.

'I tried visiting many hospitals but no one could find me a proper cure, I almost exhausted my savings but then stopped going to the hospitals with a hope of cure.

'The government officials are aware of my condition but have not offered any help.

Dabul currently lives in poor conditions with his blind wife and children - but has not lost hope

His wife, who has not been named, said: 'It is a tough life for us as I am blind and he is suffering from this condition

Dabul's job involves collecting donations from devotees and singing songs at religious gatherings

'I will keep fighting till the end and find a cure of it, it is just that at the moment I am not in the condition to afford my expenses.'

Dabul's job involves collecting donations from devotees and singing songs at religious gatherings.

His wife, who has not been named, said: 'It is a tough life for us as I am blind and he is suffering from this condition.

He said: 'I was born with this condition but never took to begging because of my self-respect'

'I will keep fighting till the end and find a cure of it, it is just that at the moment I am not in the condition to afford my expenses,' he added

Dabul said he has given up going to hospitals in the hope of finding a cure

'It is good that I cannot see else it would have been more tough for me after seeing my husband in this condition.'

Lord Jambavanta originated in epic Indian poetry and is popularly found in the Ramyana, an epic of ancient India, which is written in Sanskrit.

The character is traditionally a black bear or sloth bear, but has been described as a monkey in other scriptures.