11 Shocking Revelations About the Viral '188-Year-Old Man' Video

1. What was the viral video about?

A video claiming to show an '188-year-old man' rescued from a cave near Bengaluru went viral, amassing over 34 million views on social media.

2. Who was the man in the video?

The man in the video was identified as Siyaram Baba, a Hindu saint from Madhya Pradesh.

3. How old is Siyaram Baba?

Siyaram Baba is approximately 110 years old, not 188 years old as claimed in the video.

4. Where does Siyaram Baba live?

Siyaram Baba resides at Bhatyan Ashram in Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh.

5. What is Siyaram Baba known for?

Siyaram Baba is known for his deep spiritual devotion and austere lifestyle. He is famous for reading the Ramayana for about 21 hours each day without glasses and for standing on one leg for ten years as part of his penance.

6. What was the initial reaction to the video?

The video sparked widespread debate and curiosity, with many people believing the sensational claim of an 188-year-old man.

7. How did social media platforms respond to the video?

Social media platforms, including X, issued disclaimers to clarify the misinformation surrounding Siyaram Baba's age. The platform noted that the elderly man is a Hindu saint named Siyaram Baba who lives in Madhya Pradesh and is about 110 years old.

8. What did fact-checkers say about the video?

Fact-checkers quickly scrutinized the video and identified it as misleading. Data verification group D-Intent Data labelled the video and its accompanying claims as misleading, emphasizing that Siyaram Baba is not 188 years old.

9. What additional information confirmed Siyaram Baba's age?

A July 2024 article from Navbharat Times verified Siyaram Baba's identity and age, listing him as 109 years old at the time.

10. Why did the video gain so much traction?

The video gained traction due to its sensational claim and the curiosity it sparked among viewers. The post accompanying the video read, 'This Indian man has just been found in a cave. It's alleged he's 188 years old. Insane.'

11. What lessons can be learned from this incident?

This incident highlights the importance of fact-checking information before sharing it on social media. Experts have warned about the growing trend of influencers circulating sensationalized and unverified claims to gain attention online.