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After touching the QR code on an incense burner, people were seen walking around it and seeking blessings.
The clip was from a temple in Hangzhou, China. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
How do you pray in front of God? While traditions vary across religions and cultures, most people bow their heads, fold their hands, and speak from their hearts for blessings and guidance. But a recent video has surprised social media users by offering an unusual modern twist on prayer. The unique way of praying has amused and intrigued the Internet.
In the viral clip, a group of devotees was seen standing around a huge incense burner at a temple. Instead of offering fruits, flowers or prasad, the devotees held their mobile phones, each displaying a digital payment QR code. The worshippers touched their phones to the burner and walked around it in circles. Some were even seen offering the smoke from the holy fire to the phone.
Where Is This One-Of-A-Kind Ritual Happening?
Wondering where this unique ritual was taking place? This ritual was seen at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, China, where modern technology blended with traditional beliefs. As seen in the video, many people, especially women, were seen performing the ritual, hoping to receive good luck, wealth and prosperity.
How To Perform The Ritual?
Chinese people believe that by touching their phones, specifically the screen showing a QR code, to the incense burner or sacred flame, they will receive blessings in the form of financial gain. For the ritual, they just touch their smartphones on the neck of the incense burner and move in circles around it. Some even held their phones above holy fire and burned incense sticks in hopes of receiving blessings.
Internet Reacts To The Viral Clip
After the video surfaced on social media, many expressed their views on this unique ritual, with some even discussing how modern technology has reshaped religious traditions.
One user asked, “God of Fortune needs to learn QR these days.”
“Watching traditions evolve right before our eyes..Still believe that there is only ‘One’ way to do things??” another person said.
“Matlab India mai bas andhvishwas nai hai,” someone else joked.
“China living in 2050 AD & BC simultaneously,” a different user said.
Someone asked, “Bhagwan bhi UPI use karte hai?”
Meanwhile, one person pointed out the misinformation in the viral video, saying, “In many Chinese temples, devotees donate money using QR codes placed near idols — it’s a digital donation system (like UPI in India). After scanning and donating, some people lightly tap their phone near the idol as a symbolic gesture of respect or blessing — not because they believe ‘God is sending payment’.”
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A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
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December 03, 2025, 07:30 IST
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