Karnataka Viral News: A routine drive through familiar streets can often reveal stories hidden in plain sight. For a Maharashtrian woman living in Bengaluru, a daily sight across Karnataka turned into a viral online mystery.
The woman, who goes by the handle @unitechy, noticed the same image repeatedly while travelling outside Bengaluru. It showed a saree-clad woman with wide, kohl-lined eyes, hanging from buildings under construction. The poster appeared so frequently that it caught her attention.
Curious about the identity behind the image, she clicked a photograph and tried to trace it using Google Lens. When that failed to give answers, she turned to X to ask the internet.
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“I see this woman everywhere in Karnataka, outside Bangalore, where there's a construction happening. I tried Google Lens to check for discussions, but can't find any details. Who is she?”
Her post, shared on January 5, 2026, quickly gained traction and has since crossed 3.2 million views.
Internet Has Its Own Theories
Social media users were quick to jump in with explanations. One user wrote, “This is a nazarbattu (an equivalent to an evil eye to keep negative energies away) for the construction.”
AI Identifies The Face
One X user shared a screenshot of an AI response that identified the woman as Niharika Rao, a Karnataka-based YouTuber. According to the bot, her surprised expression from a 2023 viral video later became a popular meme.
The response added that locals have adapted the image as a modern version of a ‘Dristi Gombe’, a charm traditionally used to ward off the evil eye.
Not everyone took it seriously. One user joked, “It's a demonic sigil that comes after thieves if they steal anything.”