In an era where social media validation often takes precedence, a new viral video has sparked a debate online about the commercialization of faith and performative devotion. The video, which surfaced during the auspicious Hindu month of Sawan, shows two young women creating a dance reel on a busy road, seemingly as part of the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage.

The Kanwar Yatra is a significant annual pilgrimage where devotees of the Hindu god Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, travel to fetch holy water from the Ganges river. The month of Sawan is particularly sacred for these devotees. However, a growing trend has seen many participants focusing more on creating viral content for social media than on the spiritual aspects of the journey.

What the Viral Video Shows

The video in question features two young women dancing to a devotional song dedicated to Lord Shiva, right in the middle of a street. One woman is wearing a t-shirt with “Om” printed on it and a red scarf (gamcha) around her neck. The other woman is in a regular t-shirt but wears a saffron-colored scarf, a color deeply associated with Hinduism. Their focus appears to be entirely on recording the perfect social media reel, rather than participating in the traditional pilgrimage.

The video has since exploded on social media, igniting a firestorm of criticism. It was posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the account @Ldphobiawatch with the caption, “Is this the Kanwar Yatra?”

Watch Video:

ये कांवड़ यात्रा है???🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/5rJuHdJf32

— 𝕃𝕕𝕦𝕥𝕧𝕒 𝕂𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 (@Ldphobiawatch) July 16, 2025

Public Backlash and Criticism

The post has been viewed thousands of times, with many users expressing their disapproval in the comments. Critics argue that such actions trivialize a sacred religious practice, turning it into a mere spectacle for likes and shares.

One user commented, “The name of Kanwar should be changed to the festival of idlers.” Another user sharply criticized the trend, writing, “This is a ‘reel yatra,’ such people have made a mockery of religion.” A third user expressed stronger sentiments, stating, “Reel makers are spreading obscenity in the name of religion.”

The incident highlights a growing cultural debate about the appropriate intersection of religious faith and social media, questioning whether the sanctity of ancient traditions is being eroded in the pursuit of online fame.