Hira Ratan Manek: The Man Who Claimed He Lived on Sunlight
Hira Ratan Manek claimed he survived for months without food through sun-gazing and water, but scientists say there is no proven evidence to support it.
Imagine someone claiming they hadn't eaten food for months—or even years—and survived on nothing but sunlight and water. Would you believe them?
That was the extraordinary claim of Hira Ratan Manek (HRM), an Indian mechanical engineer from Kerala.
In 1995, he began practising "sun-gazing"—looking at the rising or setting sun for brief periods. Over time, he claimed this practice, along with drinking water and spending time in nature, reduced his need for food.
HRM said he completed a 211-day fast in 1995–96 and later a 411-day fast in 2000–01, consuming only water.
Reports of doctors observing some of these fasts brought him global attention, and many supporters believed he had discovered a new source of human energy.
But scientists remained unconvinced. Most studies related to his claims were never published in major peer-reviewed journals, and there is no accepted scientific evidence that humans can survive on sunlight alone.
Medical experts also warn that prolonged fasting can be dangerous and that staring at the sun may cause permanent eye damage.
HRM passed away in 2022 at the age of 85. Yet the question remains: was he a man who unlocked a hidden human ability—or simply a mystery science has yet to explain?
