Fact Check: 2022 Onam Celebration Video From Antarctica Shared As Recent

A video circulating on social media in 2025 claims to show five Malayalis from a 22-member Indian team celebrating Onam in Antarctica as part of India’s 41st Antarctic Expedition. The clip has been reshared by several accounts, including the Indian Embassy in Cairo, giving the impression that the celebration is recent.

An archived version of the post can be seen here. Other similar archived posts can be seen here and here.

However, this claim is misleading. The video dates back to September 2022 and was part of the 41st expedition that concluded in April 2022.

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Evidence

The video shows five men carving a traditional Pookalam (floral design) on ice using hammers and bodkins, featuring motifs like snake boats and coconut trees.

It was filmed in front of Bharati Station, one of India’s two active Antarctic research bases.

The video first went viral when Anand Mahindra shared it on X (formerly Twitter) on September 21, 2022, praising the artistry.

It was later covered by Hindustan Times and Times of India.

 Timeline Confirmation

The Press Information Bureau confirms that the 41st Indian Antarctic Expedition ran from January to April 2022.

           The video was filmed during this period, not in 2025.

Station Details

India currently operates two permanent stations in Antarctica:

Maitri Station (established in 1988)

Bharati Station (established in 2012)

The first station, Dakshin Gangotri, was decommissioned in 1990 after being buried under snow. This is confirmed by PIB and WAP Online.

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Verdict

The viral Onam celebration video from Antarctica is not part of a current expedition. It dates back to 2022.

FAQ
1. Is the video from the current Antarctic expedition?
No. It was filmed during the 41st expedition in 2022.
2. Did the Indian Embassy in Cairo share the video?
Yes, but the post lacks date context, leading to misinterpretation.
3. How many Antarctic stations does India operate?
Two: Maitri and Bharati. Dakshin Gangotri was decommissioned in 1990.
4. Who first made the video viral?
Anand Mahindra shared it on X in September 2022.
5. Where was the video filmed?
At Bharati Station, Antarctica.

Sources
X post by Anand Mahindra dated 21 Sep 2022
Times of India report dated 22 Sep 2022
YouTube video by Hindustan Times dated 21 Sep 2022
PIB press release on 41st Antarctic Expedition dated 15 Nov 2021
PIB note on Dakshin Gangotri decommissioning dated 2015
WAP Online record of Dakshin Gangotri