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Fact Check
A viral video claims to show fireworks and laser shows at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on February 26, 2025, marking its final day.
Recorded on November 15, 2024, the video shows Dev Deepawali celebrations held at the ghats of River Ganga in Varanasi .
The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, concluded in Prayagraj on February 26, 2025, with a final holy dip on Mahashivratri. However, a viral video claiming to show fireworks and laser shows at the event’s conclusion has been circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and X.
The 14-second video is being circulated with the caption: “Iconic scenes marking the end of Mahakumbh, which United more than 66 Cr 21 Lakh Hindus.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
A Google Lens search of the keyframes from the viral video directed us to an Instagram post by @drxshanukush, dated January 28, 2025. This post featured the same video and claimed it was from Prayagraj. Upon closer inspection, we observed a watermark from the Instagram handle ‘@photographycliclucknow’ embedded in the video.
Upon examining the Instagram profile of Photographyclic Lucknow, it was found that the viral clip was posted on November 15, 2024, with hashtags like #devdiwali #banaras #kashi, indicating it was shot during the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi.
The account featured multiple other videos of the Dev Deepawali celebrations at the same location, displaying similar visuals of fireworks and laser shows. Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Ankit Dixit, the admin of Photographyclic Lucknow, confirmed to Newschecker that the video was indeed shot during the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath also shared glimpses of the celebrations on his official X account.
No visuals of fireworks or laser shows were found on the official social media handles of Mahakumbh on February 26, the last day of the event. Instead, they highlighted an air show by the Indian Air Force.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath along with Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak, KP Maurya and other ministers performed a pooja on Thursday (February 27) at the Arail Ghat-Sangam in Prayagraj following the culmination of Maha Kumbh.
Also Read: Rekha Gupta Buys Luxury Car After Assuming Delhi CM’s Office? No, False Claim Goes Viral
The viral video claiming to show fireworks at the conclusion of Mahakumbh is false. The visuals are from November 2024, captured during the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi. There is no evidence of such fireworks on the official Mahakumbh social media accounts.
Sources
Instagram Post By @photographycliclucknow, Dated November 15, 2024
Telephonic Conversation With Ankit Dixit, Admin, ‘Photographyclic Lucknow’ Social Media Page, On February 27, 2025
False
