A video showing lightning striking a location has gone viral on social media, with claims that it depicts a temple in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The video does not actually show the Kullu temple and the claims are false.
Fake news frequently spreads on social media, often accompanied by convincing images and videos that can mislead people into believing they are true. To help combat misinformation, Fact Check investigates such claims. The latest instance involves a viral video showing lightning striking a hilly area, which is falsely claimed to be a temple in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. We confirm that this claim to be false.
What is going viral?
A video showing lightning hitting a hilly area has been circulating on social media. A social media user shared this video on platform X, claiming it shows continuous lightning at Bijli Mahadev temple in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. “Shiv Leela in Himachal, the incident of continuous lightning falling on Bijli Mahadev temple in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and it was recorded on camera. It is said that every 12 years lightning falls on Mahadev ji’s temple on this hill. Watch the video carefully, Mahadev ji’s presence is felt.” Many other users have also made similar claims.
On investigation, it was found that the viral video is not of Kullu in Himachal but of Volcán de Fuego volcano. This volcano is located in Guatemala, a country located in Central America. We found the original video on a YouTube channel named AccuWeather, uploaded on May 13, 2024, which shows lightning striking the Volcán de Fuego.
What was found in the Fact Check?
The viral video is not from Himachal Pradesh but from the Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala. This information is a example of Disinformation and social media user’s are advised to be cautious of misleading videos and false claims.
For All Social Media Buffs:
Disinformation is false information that someone or a group spreads online while knowing it’s false. Generally, they do this for a specific intention, usually for the purpose of influencing others to believe their point of view.
Examples of disinformation include:
Outdated Information: Sharing facts that were once true but have since changed.
Rumors: Spreading unverified stories or claims.
Mistaken Identity: Incorrectly attributing an event or statement to the wrong person.