There are many different kinds of ‘babas’ who perform all kinds of rituals to appease their deity.
One such is sanyasi Digambhar Haribansha Giri, a ‘standing’ baba, who never sits down, day and night. He sleeps standing too, hanging over this swing. A metal chastity belt covers his genitals.
Also called ‘standing’ Baba, by his followers, he has taken the vow not to sit or lie down for twelve years. He may rest one leg by hanging it in the sling under his swing. It is a painful austerity: the swollen legs and feet tend to develop persistent ulcers.
The baba may walk about, but usually just hang in their swing in their corner — and stand.
This year, the baba will complete 10 years. He has decided to continue the ritual for 12 years. He goes to bed, bathroom, food, sleep and does everything using his one leg.
He visits religious activities like Kumbhamela and astounds his followers. People are also very generous with their donations, in money or in kind.
The baba resembles a tree with his swollen feet look like roots, with a firm grip on the ground.. A tree is the traditional place for the austerity of standing, not only because the swing can be attached to one of the branches, but also because of the baba’s identification with a tree, for it is also termed vrik-asana (or vrikshasana), meaning ‘tree-posture’.
PNN
