Lali was born with a very rare condition called craniofacial duplication which means she has one head but has two identical faces merged together. The little girl has two noses, two pairs of lips and four eyes. The only facial feature that has not been duplicated are her ears.
Despite the condition often being linked to other serious health complications, Lali's father Vinod Singh, 23, said his daughter was fine "like any other child". Doctors who delivered the baby said she appeared to be in good health, and is leading a normal life with no breathing difficulties. Hospital officials said Lali could use both mouths and she opened and shut both pair of her eyes at the same time. They were initially uncertain whether the baby would have normal functions but say so far she is "doing well" and eating from both of her two mouths.
Lali has attracted intense attention, with hundreds of people flocking to the dusty village of Saini Sunpura to catch a glimpse of her unique features. Rural India is deeply superstitious and the little girl is being worshipped as the reincarnation of the Hindu goddess of valour, Durga, a fiery deity traditionally depicted with three eyes and many arms. Visitors have been touching Lali's feet out of respect and offering money in a bid to receive blessings. Village chief Daulat Ram said he planned to build a temple to Durga in the village and ask the government for money to help with Lali's care.
The excitement surrounding her arrival comes two years after the birth of another little girl, from the poverty stricken region of Bihar, who was born attached to her headless twin.
In a 40 hour operation, doctors successfully removed the lifeless body from Lakshmi Tatma, who was hailed as a reincarnation of Vishnu. The extraordinary eight-limbed baby was born on the day devoted to the celebration of the four-armed Hindu deity Vishnu. Since the operation Lakshmi has successfully taken her first steps. Her mother Poonam Tatma said she believed her daughter was "a miracle".
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