Open Letter Exposes the Truth Behind “Internet Devotion” on Social Media

Radhe-Radhe! A new trend has taken over Instagram and YouTube—it’s called “Internet Devotion.” At first glance, it looks like pure bhakti (devotion). But as YouTuber Open Letter recently revealed in his viral video (watch here), it’s less about worship and more about content creation for clout.

Scroll through social media and you’ll find “devotee influencers” filming scripted reels with their Laddu Gopal idols—pretending Krishna is asking for sweets or refusing to sleep.

Traditionally, Laddu Gopal seva (care) was an intimate act of love and devotion. But Open Letter calls this trend out as drama, not devotion.

“If God truly came alive before you, would you hand Him a gulab jamun—or would you sit at His feet to learn?” – Open Letter

Kanwar Yatra or Carnival?

The sacred Kanwar Yatra—once a test of discipline and devotion—is now being filmed like a festival. Open Letter highlights how today’s Kanwariyas show up in sneakers, blast DJs, and record reels instead of walking barefoot in silence.

Even worse, some dedicate their Kanwar to girlfriends or political leaders, completely missing the spiritual purpose.

Pilgrimage or Picnic?

Across holy sites like Kedarnath and Badrinath, Open Letter shows how sacred places are being reduced to tourist spots:

• DJs and disco lights outside temples.
• Cricket matches in temple courtyards.
• Alcohol is being consumed in pilgrimage zones.

The result? Faith looks more like a mountain vacation than a spiritual journey.

Religion for Clout

In his video, Open Letter makes it clear: this isn’t just about Hindus. Across religions, influencers are milking devotion for content. From Christian remixes of bhajans to regressive “clickbait” logic in Muslim circles, religion has become a tool for social media fame.

Selective Outrage

One of Open Letter’s sharpest points is about hypocrisy. Outrage erupts over a movie actress in a bikini, but no one speaks when Gangajal is wasted in Kanwar “competitions” or when temples turn into dance arenas. Why the double standards?

The Final Word

Open Letter ends with a bold suggestion: ban phones inside temples and fine those making reels in sacred spaces. Because if your devotion needs a camera crew, it’s not devotion.

Its performance.

• Open Letter — The YouTuber who exposed the “Internet Devotion” trend and its misuse on social media.