In the current Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, there has arisen a novel business prospect—remote ‘holy-dips’ at Rs. 500. The service, which is being advertised as a means to ‘purify’ the souls of people who cannot go to the Triveni Sangam, purports to provide a virtual holy dip. People are requested to send their pictures through WhatsApp, which are then brought to the Sangam, where a photocopy of the picture is immersed in the holy waters.
Marketing literature for the service calls the event ‘Maha Kumbh 2025: a once-in-144-years opportunity’ and warns people not to miss this ‘last chance’ to experience the divine dip. The pamphlet also asserts that the ritual will wash away sins committed in the past and bestow divine blessings, including those of ancestors.
The service went viral after veteran Supreme Court advocate and X personality Sanjay Hegde posted it on social media, tongue-in-cheek wondering if depositing a Rs. 500 note in lieu of a photograph would lead to a ‘holy dip’ for the bill.
What if I send a photocopy of a 500 Rupees note? pic.twitter.com/FBg5FZcgHD
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) February 12, 2025
Critics soon lashed out against the service for taking advantage of people’s gullibility. One commentator quipped, “Where is it written that you can wash away your sins like this? This is business. Profiting from people’s stupidity.”
A few remote dip services have gone one step further, selling to customers the ‘holy’ mud delivered to them, with evidence of the ritual filmed and mailed to the customer.
