Jaipur: A ‘dead’ man on his funeral pyre came ‘back to life’ just before his family was about to set him on fire, according to reports.

72-year-old Deepak Singh, who lives in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara city collapsed in his house after he went to feed the cows.

His family began to prepare for his last rites after they received a confirmation from the local doctor that Deepak was dead.

His grandson Banda Nalwa, was quoted as saying, “He seemed fine when he woke up in the morning and said he was off to do his chores. But as he started walking over to where the cows are, he suddenly fell to the ground.”

“I rushed over and couldn't see any signs of life. I couldn't feel a pulse and his heart seemed to have stopped. I called the rest of the family and they agreed. We thought he was dead,” he added.

Once the customary rituals started, Nalwa noticed that his grandfather was moving. He then opened his eyes and sat up.

Realising their mistake, Nalwa and his uncle Gulshan, quickly helped the old man off the pyre.