Meet the real life 'Kumbhakaran' - a man from Rajasthan's Nagaur district, who reportedly sleeps for 20 to 25 days a month or around 300 days a year.

42-year-old Purkharam, has a rare disorder called Axis Hypersomnia, due to which he sleeps for days at a stretch, according to The Indian Express.

He was diagnosed with the condition 23 years ago and, since then, it has affected his daily life so much that his family members have to feed and bathe him while he is asleep, the report said.

Purkharam is able to operate his grocery shop only five days a month. Sometimes, he dozes off even while at work.

It may impair work performance and even lead to accidents at work or while driving, it said.

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, obesity, drugs or alcohol use, depression, certain medication, a head injury or even a genetic reason could cause it, The Indian Express reported.

Axis Hypersomnia occurs due to fluctuations in the protein of the brain that is known as TNF-alpha, studies indicate.

The main symptom of the condition is constant tiredness. Low energy, irritability, drowsiness, anxiety, restlessness, loss of appetite are some of the other symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Constant tiredness

• Low energy

• Irritability

• Drowsiness

• Anxiety

• Loss of appetite

After sleeping for days at a stretch, Purkharam finds bundles of newspapers outside his shop, by which gets to know about the number of days he slept after counting the papers.

Despite medication, Purkharam feels tired most of the time and suffers from severe headaches.

His family hopes that he recovers soon and lives a normal life.

(With inputs from The Indian Express.)