Fact Check: Viral Video of Monk Meditating Under Snow Is AI-Generated

A video purportedly showing a monk meditating on a snow-covered mountain peak has recently gone viral on social media platforms. Many users are sharing the clip while claiming it depicts a real-life incident from the Himalayas. The visuals show a monk seated calmly in a meditative posture on a hilltop, seemingly unaffected by the extreme cold. His body appears almost entirely buried under snow, with only his face visible, reinforcing claims that he possesses extraordinary spiritual or physical endurance.

The Himalayas are known for their extremely harsh climatic conditions, especially during winter. At high altitudes, temperatures can drop well below freezing, often reaching minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Prolonged exposure to such conditions without specialised protective gear can lead to severe hypothermia, frostbite, and even death. While trained monks and yogis may practice meditation in cold environments under controlled conditions, surviving for long durations while completely covered in snow, as shown in the video, is scientifically implausible.

Here's the screenshot of the claim

The viral claim is archived here

Fact Check:

The video claiming to show a monk meditating on a snow-covered Himalayan peak is false. The viral video has been created using artificial intelligence.

To verify the authenticity of the video, we extracted keyframes from the viral footage and analysed them using Google Lens. This analysis revealed that several social media accounts had shared the exact same video with similar claims. Our investigation traced the source of the video to the Instagram handle @mrmahadevshorts1, which posted the clip on December 17, 2025.

A review of this account showed that it regularly uploads AI-generated visuals, including videos depicting saints, yogis, and supernatural phenomena. The viral video circulating across platforms is identical to the one shared by this account.

Given the nature of the source, we further examined the clip using the AI-detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a high probability that the video contains AI-generated or deepfake content. Several visual inconsistencies, such as unnatural snow accumulation patterns, lack of realistic breath condensation, and rigid facial features also point towards artificial generation.

With advancements in generative AI, hyper-realistic visuals can easily mislead viewers, especially when they tap into religious beliefs or awe-inspiring natural settings.

The video claiming to show a monk meditating on a snow-covered Himalayan peak is being falsely promoted as a real incident on social media. The viral video is AI generated