A viral video claiming ghosts bathed at Maha Kumbh 2025 is false. The footage is from Brazil’s Verão Maior Paraná event, captured using thermal imaging
New Delhi: A video recently circulated on social media, with some users claiming it showed ghosts taking dip in the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
CLAIM: Viral video showed ghosts bathing during the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.
FACT: The video actually shows footage from a night-time patrol during the Verão Maior Paraná events in Brazil, with humans detected using thermal imaging technology.
The footage, captured at night from a helicopter, shows multiple orange-colored figures near a water body, some appearing to be in the water. It was shared with claims that these figures were 'ghosts' bathing during the Maha Kumbh.
However, PTI Fact Check found this claim to be false. The video was actually filmed during the Verão Maior Paraná event in Brazil. The orange-colored figures are humans detected through thermal imaging, not ghosts. The footage was falsely linked to the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.-
Claim
A Facebook user named Chandan Chitra shared a video claiming that ghosts attended the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 ceremonies and took a holy dip in the river Ganga.
Here is the link and archive link to the post, along with a screenshot:
Investigation
The Desk ran the viral video through the InVid tool and extracted multiple keyframes. Upon running one of the keyframes through Google Lens, the Desk found that several other users had shared the same video with similar claims.
Two such posts can be seen here and here, with their archived versions available here and here, respectively:
The search results also led the Desk to a video published on an Instagram handle named bpmoa.pmpr on January 19, 2025. This handle shared the exact same video seen in the viral post; however, the caption stated that the visuals were captured from the Falcão Project aircraft (a remotely piloted aircraft developed for Brazil's military and civilian use) during nighttime monitoring after events on the beach, in coordination with the state's remotely piloted aircraft.
The post read: "Falcão Project aircraft with its technology, acting in night-time monitoring after events on the beach, in coordination with the State's remotely piloted aircraft. Worth guidance for summer goers regarding the risk of entering the water at night with low visibility. In these conditions, the risks of rip currents are present and can surprise swimmers. Especially avoid entering the water under the influence of alcohol. Don't put your life at risk. The Paraná Military Police and Fire Brigade teams are ready to act, but your safety starts with you and your attitudes."
Here is the link and archive link to the video, along with a screenshot:
Below is a combination image highlighting the content seen in the viral video, matched with the Instagram video posted on January 19, 2025.
In the next part of the investigation, to corroborate the claim made in the viral post, the Desk scanned through the same Instagram handle and found another video published on January 19, 2025. The video showed a similar setting seen in the earlier viral post and was shared with the caption: "Police patrol at the Verão Maior Paraná events." Further, it is important to note that, as the video progressed, a still frame on the screen revealed about large hoardings displaying information about the Verão Maior Paraná 2025 event which is being held in Brazil.
Additionally, to learn more about the orange figures visible on the helicopter’s dashboard screen, the Desk conducted a customized keyword search on Google and found that this technique is called thermographic inspection.
While researching this technique, the Desk came across a report published on a website called SATIR. The report highlighted how thermal imaging technology is used in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Regarding its use in sea rescue operations, the report mentioned:
"Sea rescue operations are one of the search and rescue missions that would benefit greatly from the use of thermal imaging equipment. This is because thermal imaging cameras work by measuring heat/temperature radiated from everything and everyone. In sea rescue operations, the temperature difference between the sea and the human body helps locate people more easily."
Here is the link to the report.
Subsequently, the Desk concluded that the viral claim linking the video to ghosts bathing during the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is false. The video actually shows footage from a night-time patrol during the Verão Maior Paraná events in Brazil, with humans detected using thermal imaging technology.
CONCLUSION
Multiple social media users recently shared a post falsely claiming that a video showed ghosts taking dip in the river Ganga during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. However, the Desk found that the video was actually recorded during the Verão Maior Paraná 2025 event in Brazil. The orange figures seen in the footage were humans detected using thermal imaging technology, not supernatural entities. Therefore, the claim linking the video to the Mahakumbh is false.
(This article was first written by Vaidehi Jahagirdar/Pratyush Ranjan for PTI Fact Check, and republished by Deccan Chronicle as part of the Shakti Collective Fact Check initiative)
