Man Breaks World Record After Growing Out Mustache For Over 30 Years

Dec 29, 2021

The “Guinness Book of World Records” has propelled some of the planet’s most extraordinary individuals into the spotlight. Although some of the organization’s records are conventional — for example, the fastest mile —  others are just a tad more bizarre. If you’ve ever wondered the world record for the most piercings in a lifetime, then Guinness has you covered (it’s 4,225). Or, if you’re an animal person, then you might find it interesting that the longest tongue on a dog ever was 17 inches. 

When it comes to odd world records, Ram Singh Chauhan of Jaipur, India, surely holds one of the strangest records to date.

The 66-year-old has the longest mustache on record at 14 feet. It was in 2010 that Chauhan officially broke the record after it was measured on the set of the Italian show "Lo Show dei Record" in Rome, Italy.

Chauhan has spent over 30 years growing his record-breaking facial hair.

“Growing a mustache is like taking care of a baby — you really need to nurture it. It has taken me a long, long time to get it to 14 feet. It’s not been an easy task,” Chauhan told the Mirror.

While Chauhan’s story has since gone viral — he’s received multiple stories in the international press — he told the Mirror in 2013 that he had no intention of becoming famous for this facial hair. Instead, he explained that the mustache is linked to his culture.

“We are Rajputs. It’s a common practice to sport a mustache in our clan. My father also sported a flowing one. Now my son has also started growing his,” Chauhan said.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Rajput describes “12 million landowners organized in patrilineal clans and located mainly in central and northern India.” Additionally, the clans are associated with warriorhood.

“When I first started to grow my mustache, I did not intend to break any record. Mustaches have been a part of Rajasthani and Indian culture for centuries. This is an age-old tradition,” Chauhan told the Mirror.

“The mustache is the symbol of pride and respect. In ancient India, a mustache meant everything. It is priceless. It’s a man thing.”

Although mustaches have been a part of Rajasthani and Indian culture for a long time, people still stare at Chauhan in public. After all, his mustache is bigger than most.

“I haven’t used a shaving blade on my mustache, or trimmed them since 1970," Chauhan said.

“Whenever I go out to the market or anywhere else, I become the centre of attention. People look at me in complete awe. They ask me all sorts of questions."

Of course, maintaining such luscious facial hair is hard work. In the interview with the Mirror, Chauhan explained that he doesn’t wash his mustache with soap or shampoo; instead, he massages the hair using various oils, in addition to combing and rolling it up.

“Once a week, I do other treatments too. But all of them are natural methods. I never use commercial products,” Chauhan said.

For his facial-hair-related achievement, Chauhan was invited to join the German Beard and mustache Club, according to the Mirror. 

“They gave me lot of respect. They loved my mustache. Many said they had never seen something like this before,” Chauhan said.

What do you think of this man’s mustache? Have you ever seen anything like this? Let us know — and be sure to pass this man’s strange but incredible story on to others.