Can applying tilak for a few hours become a decent source of income? That question is doing the rounds on social media after a man claimed he earned Rs 2,350 in around three hours while sitting near the ghats in Rishikesh. He later worked out what those earnings could look like over a month, and that calculation quickly got people talking. While many found the experiment amusing, others felt it raised a larger question about voluntary offerings made by devotees.
It started as a simple experiment
The man shared in a video that he spent a few hours near the Ganga in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, applying tilak to devotees. He said the first few hours were slow, with very few people stopping by. The earnings were limited, and he admitted he had started doubting whether the experiment would work.The rush came later in the evening as people gathered for the Ganga Aarti. According to him, more devotees began approaching him for a tilak. While many gave Rs 20, some voluntarily offered Rs 100.By the end of around three hours, he claimed he had collected Rs 2,350, with most of the money coming during the evening rush.
His monthly estimate became the talking point
After counting the day’s collection, the man estimated what the earnings could look like over a month.Based on his three-hour experiment, he claimed that repeating the same routine could bring in around Rs 70,000 every month if the earnings stayed similar. He shared the video on Instagram with the caption, “8.5 lakh p.a (3 hours). Share with ur unemployed friends,” which quickly drew attention online.
Internet had plenty to say
The comments section soon filled up with jokes.“Next summer internship plan,” one user wrote.“If you see me here don’t get shocked,” another commented.“The fun part is that you were blessing people,” another user wrote.“Resigning right now, will take an early morning bus,” another joked.
Some users saw it differently
Not everyone was convinced by the calculation.One user pointed out that the money offered after receiving a tilak is traditionally voluntary and should not be treated as a business.The user wrote, “Giving money was supposed to be a voluntary part not mandatory, but sadly some people/human greed has made this into a kind of business, for few it’s a part of their daily earning, they just put 10-20 rs themselves and rest people giving the rest automatically without being asked as a gratitude or belief which they have towards their gods.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media video and the claims made by the individual featured in it. The Times of India has not independently verified these claims.Thumb image: Instagram/@mrtan.e_
