The viral garland girl, 16-year old Monalisa Bhonsle with mesmerizing blue eyes became an internet sensation during the Mahakumbh 2025. A video featuring her smile with wide blue eyes went viral garnering 15 million views within no time. She gained an unexpected fame overnight during the Kumbh mela at Prayagraj. Monalisa began to be known as ‘Mahakumbh ki Monalisa’, ‘brown beauty’ and ‘natural beauty’ by her admirers online. Everybody adored Monalisa for her charm and simplicity.

The fame altogether bought challenges with it, making it difficult for Monalisa to work at the event. She came to Prayagraj to sell garlands and beads along with her family from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. But after the video she became famous among the visitors due to which they caused disruption in the working. The visitors at the event, along with the social media influencers reached out to her for selfies and their video content. Nobody purchased the products, impacting her livelihood.

The newfound popularity could gather large crowd; however, they were only interested in interacting with Monalisa. Only a few bought her garlands, the rest flocked around for pictures and videos. This overshadowed her purpose of selling garlands and earning a living.

Monalisa’s father sent her back home to Indore after seeing the consequences of the sudden fame and the toll it was taking on the business. Her stay at the Mahakumbh didn’t serve to be productive, thus in order to ensure Monalisa’s safety and well-being as well as for the proper working of the business, her father decided to send her back from Kumbh. The reason for Monalisa’s absence abruptly was revealed by her sisters. Her younger sister Vidya shared, “People were after Monalisa all the time. It became difficult for her to focus on selling garlands. Our father decided it was best for us to go home.”

Monalisa’s story depicts how social media can get you instant fame, at the same time cause disruption to normal life. It can affect lives, bringing an unnecessary overwhelming attention especially for the ones who earn their lives through modest means. A brief moment of spotlight and the challenges it brings along. And when it is gone…what then?