Fact Check: Viral Video Claiming Hindu Priest Ate Non-Veg During Navratri is False
Navratri is a nine-day celebration honoring Goddess Durga, observed across India. This is a time to worship and
Hindu priest eating meat
Navratri is a nine-day celebration honoring Goddess Durga, observed across India. This is a time to worship and celebrate feminine power. Goddess Durga is worshipped for ten days, and each day is dedicated to one of her nine forms. The rituals are marked by specific colours and vegetarian offerings. The nine days offer a chance for spiritual rejuvenation and deep introspection. In Gujarat, Dasara is celebrated with energetic dance forms like Garba and Dandiya, while in North India, Ram Leela performances are part of the festival.
Amidst these festivities, a video showing a Hindu priest sitting in a corner and eating non-vegetarian food is going viral on social media. The claim is that a Hindu priest is eating non-vegetarian food during the Navratri puja. The caption shared along with the video reads “दुर्गा पूजा का समय चाल रहा है और ये देखिए हमारे पंडित जी को.”
When translated, it claims: “While Durga Puja is going on, look at the Pandit ji.”
Some others shared the video with a caption: “देखिए नवरात्रि में पंडित जी कितने चाव के साथ मांसाहारी भोजन दबा रहे हैं। इनके हाथों से आप पूजा करवाते हैं। घोर कलयुग है। #ViralVideos #Navratri2025” When translated, it reads: “Look at how eagerly Pandit ji is devouring non-vegetarian food during Navratri. You get your worship done by these hands. It’s the darkest age of Kaliyug.”
Here is the archive link of the claim.
Fact Check:
Some social media users also pointed out that the person in the video is wearing the sacred thread (Janeu) incorrectly, which further raised suspicions about its authenticity.
An X user shared the video with the caption: “This is a scripted video by a Nepali leftist comedian Mahesh Upreti, it is not real...”
Some users claimed the viral video is part of an organised agenda.
Upon closer observation, another user shared a screenshot of Mahesh Upreti’s TikTok profile, which clearly shows he is an artist and singer. The TikTok video had more than 6 million views.
Here is the screenshot of his TikTok account, which clearly mentions that he is an artist.
We also found a YouTube channel where Mahesh Upreti has posted several other scripted videos.
Additionally, an X post highlighted a fact check published by Only Fact, confirming the same.
Therefore, the viral video showing a “pandit eating non-vegetarian food during Navratri” is a scripted video created by Nepali artist Mahesh Upreti. It does not belong to India, nor is it connected to Navratri celebrations. The claim is False.