Elderly Man's Unusual Habit of Eating Stones for 31 Years

In a remarkable tale from Maharashtra, 80-year-old Rambhau Bodke has been consuming stones daily for over 31 years. Initially seeking relief from stomach pain, he adopted this unusual habit after a suggestion from an elderly woman. Despite the health risks, he continues this practice, leading to surprising medical findings. Recently hospitalized, doctors were astonished to discover numerous stones in his stomach. This article explores his journey and raises questions about such peculiar habits. Can he break free from this routine? Read on to find out more.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 9, 2026, 05:20 IST

Meet the Stone-Eating Elder from Maharashtra

You may have seen children eating dirt, but today we introduce you to an 80-year-old man who consumes 250 grams of stones daily. This peculiar habit has been part of his life for over 31 years.

The individual in question is Rambhau Bodke, residing in Satara, Maharashtra. Locals refer to him as the 'Stone Baba.' He always carries pieces of stone in his pocket, ready to chew on them whenever he feels like it. Doctors were astonished when they learned about this elderly man's unusual diet.

Rambhau shares that he moved to Mumbai in 1989 in search of work but soon began experiencing severe stomach pain. Despite three years of treatment, he found no relief. Eventually, he returned to Satara and took up farming, but the pain persisted.

It was then that an elderly woman suggested he try eating stones. After following her advice, he found some relief from his stomach issues and began consuming stones daily. Remarkably, he has maintained this habit for over three decades.

Recently, he was hospitalized due to stomach pain, where a CT scan revealed numerous stones in his stomach. The doctors were shocked to see that despite his daily intake of 250 grams of stones, he was still alive. Currently, Rambhau's condition is stable, but doctors have advised him to stop eating stones. It remains to be seen whether he can control this habit.

What are your thoughts on this unusual case? Have you ever seen someone chewing on stones? It's important to note that such practices can have negative health effects. If your child has a habit of eating dirt, it's crucial to help them overcome it immediately.