In a testament to her spiritual inclinations, Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently embarked on an early morning pilgrimage to the revered Grineshwar Maha Jyotirlingam, located close to Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Engaging with her fans through her Instagram platform, Sara shared a series of photographs chronicling her visit to this ancient and prestigious temple.
The Grineshwar Maha Jyotirlingam, nestled in the village of Verul, 20 kilometers from Aurangabad, is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines which hold a paramount position in Hindu religion; each temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, representing the limitless aspects of the deity. Sara’s pictures exquisitely captured the essence of serenity and devotion that permeates this historic site.
Clothed in the traditional Indian garb of a salwar suit with a demure dupatta draped over her head, Sara presented herself as the epitome of a devout pilgrim. Accompanied by a friend, she was depicted in various heartfelt moments of worship. One photograph portrayed her reverently praying before the sanctified shivlinga, an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva, signifying her deep-rooted faith and spiritual fervor.
The series continued with a candid shot showing her whispering into the proverbial ear of Nandi, the sacred bull and vehicle of Shiva, a customary practice where devotees share their wishes believing they will be conveyed to the deity. The final images revealed Sara sitting in quiet contemplation by the shivlinga, subsumed by the tranquility of the holy place. Notably, the temple clock highlighted the early hour of her visit, marking 4:47 am, underscoring her commitment to her beliefs.
Sara’s succinct caption, “Jai Bholenath,” echoed with simplicity and respect for Lord Shiva. Her regular posts from various spiritual journeys have come to signify an integral aspect of her personal narrative, endearing her to her followers who appreciate the glimpses into her private life and devotional practices.
Sara’s spiritual outing comes in the wake of her appearance on the celebrity gaming show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 15’, hosted by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. There, she was accompanied by her grandmother, the illustrious Sharmila Tagore, herself a celebrated figure in Indian cinema. During the episode, an exchange between Mr. Bachchan and Ms. Tagore shed light on Sara’s life prior to her cinematic debut. Ms. Tagore reminisced about Sara’s childhood antics, charmingly recalling her precociousness and innate flair, which hinted at her future stardom.
Endorsing Sara’s performance in her very first film, ‘Kedarnath’, Sharmila Tagore expressed pride in her granddaughter’s craft. In the film, Sara Ali Khan starred opposite the competent and much-missed actor Sushant Singh Rajput, capturing audiences with her portrayal of Mandakini Tripathi.
On the professional front, Sara Ali Khan is gearing up for a lineup of intriguing projects. Audience anticipations are high for her forthcoming roles in ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, ‘Metro… In Dino’, an as-yet-untitled project directed by Jagan Shakti, and a film intriguingly titled ‘Murder Mubarak’. Each project promises to showcase different facets of Sara’s versatility as an actor.
As Sara Ali Khan continues to engage with her spiritual roots and advances her acting career, her journey strikes a unique balance between personal growth and professional pursuit, offering an inspiring narrative in today’s celebrity culture. Her pilgrimage to the Grineshwar Maha Jyotirlingam reflects a poignant aspect of her life beyond the camera—a genuine connection with her faith and an appreciation for India’s rich spiritual heritage.
