This is the emotional moment a son reunited with his teary-eyed mother after 22 years of living as a monk seeking alms.

Pinku Singh had an argument with his father when he was 11 over marbles and went missing in Delhi, India, in 2002.

His parents searched for him but to no avail until he miraculously showed up again in their village two decades later as a wandering monk.

Footage shows Pinku playing a string instrument while singing and crying beside his mum, Bhanumati, who broke down into tears.

A touched resident, who recorded the video, said: 'He sang about the tale of King Bharthari's legend and his journey, much like Pinku's life.'

His mother and relatives identified Pinku through a distinctive scar on his body.

It was unclear how the boy became a monk, but after seeking alms from the villagers, he immediately left.

His father, Ratipal, said the religious organisation to which his son had been affiliated demanded INR 100,000 (954.10 GBP) as a condition for Pinku's release.

He said: ‘I do not have INR 11 in my pocket, how am I supposed to pay such a substantial amount?'

Pinku later explained that he returned home to formalise being a monk as customs required them to receive alms from their mothers.

Despite pleas from his family, Pinku refused to leave his monk life, while his father added he couldn't afford the amount needed to take his son back.

The father added: ‘I am unable to fulfil this hefty financial obligation, as I do not possess even INR 11 in my pocket.'