This 12yr old boy with a “tail” growing from his back has been hailed as a god in India.

Followers flock to Arshid Ali Khan’s temple — often leaving cash or gifts in return for a blessing.

They believe the youngster — Balaji to his devotees — is the reincarnation of Hindu monkey god Hanuman. But doctors say he has meningocele, a form of spina bifida where the spinal cord develops abnormally.

Balaji, who lives with his grandparents near Chandigarh, said: “I love my tail. It’s a gift from God. It’s unusual but people respect me and bow before me because of it. I feel special.”

Doctors say if the growth is not removed, Balaji’s twisted limbs could become worse.

Read more in: Frrole India