Viral Video Shows Religious Procession In Maharashtra, Not Crowd At Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’

Claim

Viral video showing a massive crowd at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar.

The archived version of the post can be seen here.

Fact

Newschecker ran a reverse image search of keyframes, which led us to the same video uploaded on Youtube on August 1, 2025, more than two weeks before the ongoing rally for voter rights that began on August 17, 2025.  “Khamgaon to Shegaon Gajanan Maharaj…” read the description of the video

A further search led us to this Youtube video, dated July 31, 2025, uploaded by media outlet Divya Varhad Marathi. “Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sanstha, Shegaon. Millions of devotees marched on foot along with palanquin. Video captured by drone camera at Khamgaon Shegaon,” read the Marathi description.

A further search led us to this Youtube video, dated July 31, 2025, uploaded by media outlet Divya Varhad Marathi. “Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sanstha, Shegaon. Millions of devotees marched on foot along with palanquin. Video captured by drone camera at Khamgaon Shegaon,” read the Marathi description.

A comparison of a screengrab from the viral video (left) with the Youtube video (right) confirms that it is the same procession, which predates the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar.

A relevant keyword search led us to this Times of India report, dated June 3, 2025, on the annual procession organised by Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, a spiritual institution located in Shegaon, Maharashtra, dedicated to the saint Shri Gajanan Maharaj.

“With chants of ‘Gan Gan Ganat Bote’ and ‘Gajanan maharaj ki jai’ echoing through the streets of Shegaon [in Buldhana, Maharashtra], the 56th annual palki (palanquin) procession of Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj comprising over 700 warkaris (devotees), bhajan troupes, horses, and symbolic elements of warkari tradition began its journey towards Pandharpur on Sunday morning. The annual spiritual event, organized by Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, marks a devotional foot pilgrimage that spans 1,275km over two months — 725km to Pandharpur and 550km on return journey to Shegaon,’ read the report, further confirming that the viral video was being shared with a false claim.

Also Read: Old Video From Jagannath Rath Yatra Falsely Shared As Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar’ Rally In Bihar

Sources
Youtube video, July 31, 2025, Divya Varhad Marathi