(CNN) – An Iranian monk known as the “dirtiest man in the world” has died aged 94, months after taking his first bath in decades, they said. Government media From Iran.
“Amu Haji,” which translates to “Uncle Haji,” died Sunday in Deshka, a village in the country’s southern Fars province, state news agency IRNA reported.
According to the region’s district head, Haji avoided fresh food for decades and believed that “if he took a bath, he would get sick,” the agency said.
Haji is known for his strong stance against bathing: a few years ago, when a group of villagers took him to a nearby river to try to clean it, he threw himself out of the car and ran away.
All the locals in the area treated him and his health with respect, understanding that fear of getting sick was the reason he avoided water, IRNA reported.
A few months ago, the villagers bathed Haji.
Haji was never married. His funeral was held in nearby Farashband on Tuesday night, IRNA reported.
CNN’s Abdul Naseer contributed to this report.
