Man Earns ₹2,350 in 3 Hours by Applying Tilak to Strangers in Rishikesh, Viral Video Sparks Online Debate
A man earns ₹2 ,350 in 3 hours by applying tilak to strangers in Rishikesh, and his unusual social experiment has taken social media by storm. Content creator Tanee Thakur documented the entire experience in a viral video, revealing how a simple idea with almost no investment turned into a surprising source of income. The clip has now crossed millions of views, with people reacting in everything from amusement to criticism.
How the Social Experiment Began
To test whether people would voluntarily offer money, Thakur dressed in traditional attire and walked through the streets of Rishikesh carrying a plate of tilak. He approached passers-by and politely offered to apply tilak on their foreheads.
The response, however, was slow in the beginning.
“So I put on this traditional outfit and stepped out on the streets of Rishikesh to apply tilak. People are literally refusing to get one. And in the first one hour I’m only able to apply tilak to 20 people,” he said.
The video does not show him asking anyone for money. During the initial phase, there were no visible cash offerings in his tilak plate, making it unclear whether he expected donations from those accepting the tilak.
Ganga Aarti Changes Everything
The experiment took a dramatic turn when Thakur reached the ghats during the evening Ganga Aarti. As large crowds gathered for the spiritual ceremony, more people began accepting the tilak.
According to him, many individuals voluntarily offered small amounts such as ₹10 or ₹20, while a few handed him ₹100. It appeared that several visitors believed he was a genuine religious volunteer or priest.
Sharing the unexpected outcome, he said:
“But then during the time of Ganga aarti, I head to the ghat and everything changes.”
By the end of the session, he claimed to have applied tilak to nearly 400 people.
“In just 3 hours, I end up applying tilak to nearly 400 people,” said Thakur.
₹2,350 Earned in Just Three Hours
After completing the experiment, the creator counted his earnings and found he had collected ₹2,350.
Reflecting on the result, he estimated that repeating the same routine daily for just three hours could generate a monthly income of around ₹70,000.
“If we calculate for a month, it’s around ₹70,000,” he added.
While the calculation is based on a single day's experience and has not been independently verified, it quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of the video.
Internet Floods the Comments Section
The viral clip, which has garnered more than four million views, triggered a wave of reactions across social media. Many users responded with humour, while others debated the role of faith and religious practices.
Some of the most popular comments included:
“How to apply for this internship,” asked one person in the comments section.
“Next summer internship plan,” another said.
Others viewed the experiment from a different perspective.
“Religion is a business,” one Instagram user opined.
“The best business you can do is business of religion,” another agreed.
The Viral Experiment Continues to Spark Discussion
Thakur's video has become a talking point online, not just because of the amount he earned, but also because it raises questions about public perception, faith and voluntary donations in religious places. While many users found the experiment entertaining, others felt it highlighted how easily appearances can influence people's behaviour.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the unique social experiment has successfully captured the internet's attention and continues to fuel conversations across social media platforms.
How the Social Experiment Began
To test whether people would voluntarily offer money, Thakur dressed in traditional attire and walked through the streets of Rishikesh carrying a plate of tilak. He approached passers-by and politely offered to apply tilak on their foreheads.
The response, however, was slow in the beginning.
“So I put on this traditional outfit and stepped out on the streets of Rishikesh to apply tilak. People are literally refusing to get one. And in the first one hour I’m only able to apply tilak to 20 people,” he said.
The video does not show him asking anyone for money. During the initial phase, there were no visible cash offerings in his tilak plate, making it unclear whether he expected donations from those accepting the tilak.
Ganga Aarti Changes Everything
The experiment took a dramatic turn when Thakur reached the ghats during the evening Ganga Aarti. As large crowds gathered for the spiritual ceremony, more people began accepting the tilak.
According to him, many individuals voluntarily offered small amounts such as ₹10 or ₹20, while a few handed him ₹100. It appeared that several visitors believed he was a genuine religious volunteer or priest.
Sharing the unexpected outcome, he said:
“But then during the time of Ganga aarti, I head to the ghat and everything changes.”
By the end of the session, he claimed to have applied tilak to nearly 400 people.
“In just 3 hours, I end up applying tilak to nearly 400 people,” said Thakur.
₹2,350 Earned in Just Three Hours
After completing the experiment, the creator counted his earnings and found he had collected ₹2,350.
Reflecting on the result, he estimated that repeating the same routine daily for just three hours could generate a monthly income of around ₹70,000.
“If we calculate for a month, it’s around ₹70,000,” he added.
While the calculation is based on a single day's experience and has not been independently verified, it quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of the video.
Internet Floods the Comments Section
The viral clip, which has garnered more than four million views, triggered a wave of reactions across social media. Many users responded with humour, while others debated the role of faith and religious practices.
Some of the most popular comments included:
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“How to apply for this internship,” asked one person in the comments section.
“Next summer internship plan,” another said.
Others viewed the experiment from a different perspective.
“Religion is a business,” one Instagram user opined.
“The best business you can do is business of religion,” another agreed.
The Viral Experiment Continues to Spark Discussion
Thakur's video has become a talking point online, not just because of the amount he earned, but also because it raises questions about public perception, faith and voluntary donations in religious places. While many users found the experiment entertaining, others felt it highlighted how easily appearances can influence people's behaviour.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the unique social experiment has successfully captured the internet's attention and continues to fuel conversations across social media platforms.
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