One Crore Balloons Released Into Sky At Mahakumbh? The Viral Video Is From China.

Recently, a video of a crowd releasing balloons into the sky went viral on social media, claiming it to be from the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Sharing the video, users are claiming that one crore balloons were released simultaneously in Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela.

Instagram Link | Archived Link.

However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was false. The video is not from India. Here’s the fact check.

Fact Check 

When we watched the video carefully, we noticed that something was written in the Chinese language on a building. When we translated it, we got to know that “Happy New Year” was written there. This makes it clear that the video is not from the Mahakumbh.

Moving forward, we took some screenshots from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to an Instagram handle where the viral video was uploaded on 1 January 2025. Whereas the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj began on 13 January 2025.

The caption of the post read, “Nanchang, Jiangxi, welcome 2025. Happy New Year 2025!”

Further, we found a similar video uploaded on a YouTube channel on 1 January 2025. A text overlay on the video reads, “NANCHANG, CHINA, DECEMBER 31, 2024”. The caption of the video reads, “Thousands gather in Nanchang city centre releasing balloons to celebrate the New Year”. 

This makes it clear that the viral video is from China.

Conclusion 

From our investigation, we can say that the claim is false. The viral video of releasing balloons into the sky is not from the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The video shows a New Year celebration in Nanchang, China on 31 December 2024.