Fact Check: Maha Kumbh Mela started with shankh blown for over 2 minutes? No, video is from 2023
A video of a man blowing a conch has gone viral with the claim it is from the inaugural ceremony of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
By Md Mahfooz Alam Published on 17 Jan 2025 7:07 PM IST
Claim: The video shows a man blowing a shankh (conch) for over two minutes during the inaugural ceremony of the Maha Kumbh Mela in UP.
Fact: The claim is false. The video is from Varanasi, captured during president Droupadi Murmuās attendance for the Ganga Aarti in 2023.
Hyderabad: A video circulating on social media shows a man blowing a shankh (conch) in a large, decorated area near a river, with several others standing with folded hands facing the water. Users sharing the video claim it is from the inaugural ceremony of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
A user on X shared the video and wrote, āAt Kumbhmela's inaugural function, the shankh was blown non-stop for 2 minutes 49 seconds - this is perhaps a world record. Modern science will tell you how powerful is this exercise for our lungs & the wave of positivity with this Shankhanad. This is the power of Sanatan. (sic)ā (Archive)
Several Facebook users also shared the video with the same claim. Archived versions of the claims are here, here and here.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video was from a Ganga Aarti ceremony in Varanasi in 2023.
Upon closely examining the video, we noticed a āVK Newsā watermark on the video and spotted Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and president Droupadi Murmu in the footage.
Taking this cue, we searched using relevant keywords and found the video on the verified YouTube channel of VK News, published on February 13, 2023. The channel stated that the video shows a devotee blowing a conch at the Ganga Ghat in the presence of president Murmu in Varanasi.
We also found an extended version live-streamed on the presidentās YouTube channel on February 13, 2023, titled āPresident Droupadi Murmu attends Ganga Aarti at Varanasi.ā The viral clip appeared in the video after the 17:50-minute timestamp.
As per a Hindustan Times report from February 13, 2023, the Ganga Aarti began around 6 pm, with president Murmu and other VVIPs participating and offering special prayers. Special arrangements were made for the presidentās visit, including her fleet arriving at Dashashwamedh Ghat, which was beautifully decorated, with its stairs covered in a red carpet.
Therefore, we conclude that the video does not show a shankh being blown at the inaugural ceremony of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in UP. The claim is false.
