Prahlad Jani

Prahlad Jani

Prahlad Jani, also known by his followers as Mataji or Chunriwala Mataji, was an Indian mystic and breatharian monk. He gained international attention for his claim to have lived without consuming food or water for over 70 years.

Background

Jani was a practitioner of inedia, the claimed ability to live without food. As a devout follower of the Hindu goddess Amba, he stated that his survival was a result of her divine blessing. He spent his life as a monk, attracting a following due to his extraordinary claims and ascetic lifestyle.

Claims and Practice

The central claim of Prahlad Jani's life was that he had completely abstained from food and water since 1940. He asserted that the goddess Amba sustained him through a mystical process, rendering conventional nourishment unnecessary. This belief formed the core of his spiritual practice and public identity.

Public Presence and Investigations

Jani's claims drew interest from both the public and the scientific community, leading to two formal hospital observations. He was observed under controlled conditions at Sterling Hospital in Ahmedabad, first in 2003 and again for a more extended period in 2010. During these studies, he was monitored around the clock to verify his ability to survive without sustenance.

Despite the significant attention these observations generated, the official findings were kept confidential by the research teams. This lack of transparent, peer-reviewed data has led to his claims being viewed with widespread skepticism by the global scientific and medical communities. His alleged abilities remain unverified.