Fakir facts for kids

Herbert Ponting's 1907 photograph of a fakir in Varanasi, India.

A fakir (pronounced fah-KEER) or faqir is a person, often a religious one, known for showing amazing feats of endurance or what might seem like magic. The word comes from an Arabic word, faqr, which means "poverty."

In English, people often use the word "fakir" to describe holy people from Hinduism, like sadhus, gurus, swamis, and yogis. It also refers to Sufi mystics, who are a type of Muslim holy person. Sometimes, the word can also mean a street beggar who recites holy names or verses from religious books. In languages like Urdu and Hindi, "fakir" is a common word for "beggar."

Many stories and ideas exist about fakirs. Some common images include a person walking barefoot on hot coals, sitting or sleeping on a bed of sharp nails, or even appearing to float in the air while meditating. These acts are often seen as a way to show strong spiritual devotion or control over the body.

Images for kids

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  A Sufi Muslim ascetic (fakir) in Bengal during the 1860s.

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  The shrine of a Sufi Muslim fakir named Sultan Bahoo in Punjab, Pakistan.