"She is beautiful indeed!"
Moni Bhosle became a viral sensation after videos of her selling garlands at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh went viral, even being nicknamed Mona Lisa.
The 16-year-old from Indore gained millions of admirers online.
Social media users praised her striking amber eyes, sharp nose and complexion.
Many nicknamed her ‘brown beauty’ while the media dubbed her ‘Mona Lisa’.
Her fame spread across Instagram and X, where content featuring her flooded social media.
In one video, a reporter asked Moni about her social media presence and newfound fame while another clip featured a man inquiring if she is married or interested in any of the men following her.
Moni replied: “Why would I like any of them? All of them are my brothers. I will only marry someone my parents choose for me.”
While many admired her natural beauty, some raised questions about personal boundaries and respect during spiritual events.
One commented: “This is Maha Kumbh, the most spiritual event in the last 144 years. Have you any awareness?
“You’re following her with a camera, trying to persuade her into money and followers. Speak of holy things and respect her space.”
Another wrote: “She is beautiful indeed! But how shameful of people who are following her.
“More shameful for the reporter who instead of shaming people, is mentioning it as an achievement for her social profiles!”
On January 21, 2025, a video of Moni celebrating her birthday went viral.
The footage showed her cutting a cake while people sang for her.
A particular video of Moni selling garlands at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj reached 6.5 million views. Another similar clip attracted 2.5 million views.
Searches for ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ peaked on Google in India on January 20 and 21. Influencers and vloggers joined the trend, further amplifying her fame.
Despite her viral success, Moni’s time at the mela was cut short.
Her father decided to send her back to Indore due to the overwhelming attention.
Reports suggested that people were more interested in taking photos with her than purchasing garlands.
A viral video showed crowds of men gathering around her stall, causing disruption.
In one clip, Moni covers her face with a scarf while her family attempts to manage the chaos.
According to her father, internet fame made it impossible for Moni Bhosle to continue selling garlands. The mela was no longer a viable place for her livelihood.
The overwhelming attention forced the family to prioritise Moni’s well-being over earnings.
How disgusting are indian men? A poor family from Madhya Pradesh travelled to Kumbha Mela to earn a living selling beads.
But the “sinners” who have gone to wash off their sins in the Kumbha Mela fetishised her so much that now her family is busy chasing away these men instead… pic.twitter.com/Evdc7I9tVT— Lavanya Ballal Jain (@LavanyaBallal) January 21, 2025
Addressing the issue, INC Karnataka spokesperson Lavanya Ballal Jain posted on X:
“How disgusting are Indian men?
“A poor family from Madhya Pradesh goes to the Kumbh to sell garlands for a living, but the sinners who went to wash away their sins became so fascinated that now the family is seen removing the crowd instead of focusing on livelihood.”
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