This viral video of people pelting stones is not from Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj

The viral video of people pelting stones is part of a religious event from Uttarakhand, not from the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela.

Mahakumbh Mela 2025 officially commenced on 13 January, 2025 continuing until 26 February, 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The mela is held every 12 years and attracts millions of pilgrims, saints, and tourists.

Amidst this, a video of people dressed in saffron robes throwing stones in a temple premise is going viral on social media. While sharing this video, some users have claimed that this video is of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

Let’s check the truth

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Fact Check- 

We started our investigation with a reverse image search on google and the results led us to a similar video uploaded on a YouTube channel on 20 August 2024, it is informed that this video is of Devidhura Bagwal Mela.

Keeping this in mind, we conducted further search and found the longer version of the viral video here and here . On 19 August, a video of this fair has been uploaded from a different angle on the YouTube channel ‘ Raibar Uttarakhand Devbhoomi’ . Watch the video below. 

Bagwal fair

In order to get further information about the Bagwal fair, we started searching with different keywords. As a result, we got a report from ETV Bharat detailing the 2024 Bagwal Mela. The fair began in Devidhura, Uttarakhand, with Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta inaugurating the event. The opening ceremony included cultural programs showcasing the rich history and traditions of the Devidhura Bagwal Mela, which is known for its ritualistic stone-pelting practice. 

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We checked the Uttarakhand Ministry of Tourism’s  website to know more about this ritual. It has detailed information about the Devidhura Bagwal fair. Held every year during Raksha Bandhan in Champawat district, the event takes place at the Devidhura temple of Goddess Barahi. The fair involves four clans throwing stones at each other, a ritual linked to mythology that symbolizes the replacement of an ancient human sacrifice tradition to the goddess. 

During this ceremony, which takes place in the month of Shravan, participants protect themselves with wooden shields, called farra.

The video of this celebration can be seen below.

Conclusion- 

Fact crescendo found the claim made along with the viral video to be False. The viral video of people pelting stones is part of a religious event from Uttarakhand, not from the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela.