9 day Fast

I saw in the media that a monk on Mt. Hiei just emerged from a ritual 9 day fast during which he does not eat, drink or sleep. He must recite sutras almost continuously. This practice takes place on the 700th day of a 1000 day practice, done by the commonly known 'Marathon Monks' of Mt. Hiei.
It is said that the body of the monk begins to smell of death. He emerges from the fast supported by attendants, and drinks a specially prepared liquid.
The monk still has 300 days of practice remaining, before becoming a kind of living saint.