Meet Pakkirappa Hunagundi: The Man Who Eats Bricks, Mud, and Stones

Have you heard of Pakkirappa Hunagundi? His unusual story has drawn attention not only across India but even in UK tabloids.

For the past 20 years, this man from Karnataka has lived on a most extraordinary diet — mud, stones, and bricks. Unlike most people who crave flavorful dishes, Pakkirappa says he feels no need for regular food. When hunger strikes, he simply steps outside and eats whatever the earth offers.

“I don’t crave any other food,” says Pakkirappa with a grin. “Mud, stones, and bricks are my favourites. I’ve been doing this for years, and I can’t stop now. No matter how hard the stone is, I can chew and swallow it easily. My teeth have never had any problems.”

Despite repeated pleas from his mother and friends to give up the habit, Pakkirappa remains steadfast. He insists he prefers mud to fried chicken, and according to his family, he consumes nearly one brick and several kilograms of soil every day.

Medical experts believe Pakkirappa suffers from a condition known as Pica Disorder — a rare eating disorder that causes people to consume substances that are not considered food and have no nutritional value, such as soil, chalk, or paper. Pica is often seen in children and pregnant women, typically as a temporary phase, but Pakkirappa’s case is unique for its longevity and intensity.

Villagers in his hometown are no longer surprised by his unusual habit, having seen it for years. Pakkirappa claims to have started eating mud and stones at the age of 10, and more than two decades later, he continues to do so — consuming up to three kilograms a day.

“I can skip regular meals, but not mud or stones,” he says matter-of-factly. “It’s a necessity now. I feel no side effects — my teeth are still strong, and I can crush even the hardest stones.”

According to Pakkirappa, construction materials such as bricks and cement chunks taste the best, especially when washed down with a glass of water. “It’s tastier than cooked food,” he laughs. “Even if my mother offers chicken fry, I’d rather have mud.”

Locals regard him with a mix of sympathy and fascination, and ever since his story spread, curious visitors have been flocking to his village to witness this astonishing phenomenon firsthand — a man who finds his daily meal in the very earth beneath his feet.