An image of an older man, likely a seer, sitting in a meditative position with his head down and snow all over his body is going viral on social media. Social media users are praising the Seer claiming the ascetic is doing penance in the bosom of the Himalayas. A Seer (a Yogi) can be seen covered in white stuff in the viral image, which people call snow. [Himalaya is known for its freezing weather.]
A Twitter user, while sharing this image, wrote a caption that reads: ‘Ice-clad Yogi in the Himalayas, Jai Sanatan’. This tweet got 4.4k likes and over 500 retweets.
The image is circulating on Facebook with a Hindi caption that reads “”
[English Translation: An ascetic doing penance in such extreme cold…Many salutes to the protectors of Sanatan Dharma. Jai Hindu.. 🙏🙏 Jai Sanatan.]
It is widely shared on Facebook and Twitter with a similar claim.
Claim:
The viral image shows a clairvoyant meditating in freezing temperatures in the Himalayas.
Fact check:
The Logical Indian Fact Check team verified the claim and found it to be false. The viral image is edited.
We did a reverse image search on Google and found a Facebook post from June 2019 in which the same photo can be seen with a different color contrast. The post’s caption identified him as “Baba Bhale Giri Ji Maharaj of Joona Akhada”. The same image was also shared by the same account in July 2020. Click here to view.
Searching further, we found photos and videos on the same page in which similar images can be seen. However, the only difference was that Baba Bhalegiri Maharaj’s body was not covered in snow but in ash.
We also compared the viral image with the image we accessed from the Facebook page. Looks like someone did some color grading and gave it a monochrome twist to make it look like snow. Below you can see the comparison.
Searching further, we also found a video of Baba Bhalegiri on YouTube in which he can be seen performing certain rituals. In this video, two people first pour water on Baba’s body and then put ashes on his body.
Our investigation shows that the viral image with a claim of a clairvoyant meditating in freezing temperatures in the Himalayas is altered. In the viral image, the body is not covered in snow but is covered in ash. Therefore, the viral claim is false.
If you have any news that you think needs to be checked, please email us at [email protected] or whatsapp on 6364000343.
Also Read: Congress Manifesto Promotes Victory of Yogi Adityanath? No, the viral image is morphed
