World's longest beard makes New York debut

S. Swaran Singh a surrey sikh priest poses a photograph with his 8'2" long beard on
September  21, 2011

       






















NEW YORK — A.B.C. world-record holder showed off his eight-foot-long beard in New York earlier this week.Sikh priest Sarwan Singh from the Vancouver suburb of Surrey appeared on the Regis and Kelly show on Tuesday to show millions of television viewers his impressive facial hair.

At eight feet 2 1/2 inches, it's believed to be the longest beard in the world. Singh has been the Guinness World Records long-beard champion since 2008.Singh serves as high priest of Guru Nanak temple and also the principal, president and music teacher at Surrey's Akal Academy.

"I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to represent the Sikh and Surrey communities," Singh said of his guest appearance on the show.

He was speaking through his translator and friend Dr. Pargat Bhurji, a Surrey pediatrician who accompanied him to New York.

"This is history in the making," Bhurji said. "Out of the 6.5 billion people in the world, he is the only one standing there."

Sikhs must not cut their hair as an article of their faith and Singh, 45, has been growing his beard since he was 15 years old.

His brother, Balvir Singh, also has a long beard, at six feet.