An Iranian hermit dubbed “the dirtiest man in the world” because he had not bathed for more than half a century has died at the age of 94, state media reported.
IRNA news agency reported that Amo Haji, a popular nickname for the elderly, died in the village of Dakka in the southern Fars province on Sunday.
According to local media, Haji, who is covered in soot and lives in a brick hut, has not bathed with water or soap for more than 60 years. Villagers said he experienced “emotional setbacks in his youth” which led him to refuse to shower.
In 2014, the Tehran Times reported that Hajj ate killed on the road, smoked a pipe filled with animal excrement and thought hygiene would make him sick. Pictures showed him smoking several cigarettes at once.
A few months ago, IRNA said, some villagers persuaded him to take a shower for the first time. After Haji’s death, the unofficial record may go to an Indian who has not bathed either in his life.
In 2009, the Hindustan Times reported that Kailash “Kalaw” Singh, from a village outside the holy city of Varanasi, had not washed for more than 30 years in an effort to help end “all the problems facing the nation”.
He refused water in favor of what he called a “fire bath”. “Every evening, while the villagers gather, Kalu lights a fire, smokes marijuana and stands on one leg to pray to Lord Shiva,” the newspaper said.
Singh reportedly said, “It is like using water to take a bath. A fire bath helps kill all germs and infections in the body.
