Old documentary video of a fire yogi falsely shared linking to BBC and Kumbh Mela

The viral video is from an old documentary film about a fire ritual performed by Yogi Rambhau Swami from Tamil Nadu.

Mahakumbh Mela 2025 officially commenced on 13 January, 2025 continuing until 26 February, 2025 and will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The mela is held every 12 years and attracts millions of pilgrims, saints, and tourists who partake in spiritual practices such as ceremonial bathing at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. 

In this scenario, a video of a sadhu has gone viral on social media, who is seen lying comfortably on burning pyre. The users who share the video claims that it is from Maha Kumbh mela. In the video, we can see this sadhu turns from side to side in between, blows the smoke away from himself with his hand and lies comfortably on the fire. The post claims this sadhu who came to Kumbh mela surprised even a BBC journalist, and he made this video report on the sadhu.

Let’s check the truth

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Fact Check- 

We started our investigation by conducting a keyword search on Google and the results led us to a YouTube video dated 23 March, 2011, which is an extended version of the viral video. The description of the video mentions a documentary named ‘The Fire Yogi’. This documentary is about this yogi, who plays with fire like this by using a unique breathing technique.

Upon further search, we found the video of the man’s story on the official YouTube channel of Aaj Tak. The video was uploaded on 18 November 2009. Aaj Tak has told this story in four parts. According to the available information, the viral video is of Dattatreya temple in Gulbarga, Karnataka. Where ‘Rambhau Swami’ performed penance by lying on fire. But he did not suffer any harm in this penance. 

Moving forward, we found a report related to the viral video on the official website of Indian Express also. The report also tells how a sadhu in Karnataka lies on fire and meditates for hours. But he does not get burnt by the fire.  

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Based on these evidences, we can understand that the viral video has no connection with Maha Kumbh mela. The viral video is about 15 years old, which is now being shared with a misleading claim.

Conclusion- Fact crescendo found the claim made along with the viral video to be Misleading. The viral video is from an old documentary film about a fire ritual performed by Yogi Rambhau Swami from Tamil Nadu. It has nothing to do with Kumbh mela and BBC.