The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began on January 13 with the sacred Paush Purnima Snan and is set to conclude on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivratri.
Amidst this, a video claiming to show the inaugural ceremony has captured widespread attention, continuously showcasing a saint blowing a conch shell (shankh) for an impressive 2 minutes and 49 seconds. The viral video also features President Droupadi Murmu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attending the inaugural event.
One such post is being shared with a caption: “At Kumbh mela’s inaugural function created a world record for non-stop blowing shunk for 2 minutes 49 seconds. This is the power of ancient Hinduism!”
Similar claims can be seen here, here, here and here. (Archive link)
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the claim, and found it to be false.
Analysing the viral clip minutely, the NM team found the logo of a news channel VK NEWS. And running the viral video keyframes through Reverse Image Search, we found a video uploaded on February 13, 2023, showing identical visuals. The title, translated into English, reads: “A devotee blew a conch on the Ganga Ghat in such a way that even President Murmu kept looking at it | President Murmu Varanasi.”
The same video was also available on the official YouTube channel of the President of India dated February 13, 2023, where the visuals from the viral clip appeared at approximately 17:33 timestamp.
Additionally, reports published by Hindustan Times and The Times of India confirm that the video originates from President Murmu’s visit to Varanasi on February 13, 2023. During her visit, she offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and attended the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The President was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel.
Thus, the viral video is from President Murmu’s Varanasi visit in February 2023, not the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela.
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