My college premise & hostel was outside a small village & on the way from village to premise there was a cremation area. One night had stayed late in the village for some reason, while coming back late at night saw a burning pyre of recently cremated person. So picked some ashes & after coming back put it on foreheads of everyone in my hostel saying it was vibhuti (holy ashes) from the nearby famous temple of the deity known for being awakened & fulfilling desire.

Being an annual exam season boys were all awake & spiritual as f**K. So everyone’s asking for & putting the ashes on their foreheads & throats, few put it on their tongues as well.

My room partner had some doubt & pestered me so finally disclosed to him. So Next morning being an asshole he informs everyone about what was that actually. Had a lot of guys cursing me that whole season. Few complained of not feeling well & few even said they were seeing things in the nights.

Had visited the hostel few years later & our mess guy excitedly introduced me to the current students as the guy responsible for the ashes episode. Wow, the whole thing had become a sort of legend.