Unrelated Video From Varanasi Falsely Linked to Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration

A video showing several Havan Kunds (fire pits) in a field is being shared on social media platforms.

What are the users saying?: Those sharing have claimed that it shows the preparations for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh in which a Hindu ritual will be performed, using twenty-five thousand sacred fire pits.

(Archives of similar claims can be found here, here and here.)

Is this true? : The claim is false.

• The video shows the twenty-five thousand Havan Kunds (fire pits) made for the Yagya (sacrifice) held in the Swaraveda Temple of Varanasi in December 2023.

How did we find out?: With a relevant keyword search on YouTube, we came across a video uploaded on 16 December 2023 by a channel named 'Arun Village Boy Vlog.'

• The video mentioned the twenty-five thousand fire pits for the sacrifice ritual.

• The title read, "Swarved Mahamandir Dham Varanasi 25 thousand Havan Kund."

• We matched the frames of the viral video with the YouTube video and found similarities. Swipe right to see the comparisons.

• We also found news reports by Zee News Hindi and Amar Ujala from December 2023 that confirmed a Mahayagya of twenty-five thousand fire pits was organized on the hundredth anniversary of the Sant Samaj at the Veda Mahamandir Dham Umarhaan in Varanasi. 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated and inaugurated the ceremony in Varanasi.

• Further, we also came across another YouTube video uploaded on 18 December 2023 by a channel named 'India Tour Masti' showing visuals related to this event in Banaras.

• We did not find any posts or announcements about such an event on the official X (formerly Twitter) of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

Conclusion: Clearly, the claim is false. An unrelated video from Varanasi of a 'Yagya' ceremony is being falsely linked to the inauguration of Ayodhya's Ram Temple.

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