In a moment that blended elite sport with deep spirituality, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli was seen at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on January 17, 2026. Arriving just a day after head coach Gautam Gambhir made a similar pilgrimage, Kohli’s visit to the revered shrine came at a critical juncture the eve of the high-stakes series decider against New Zealand in Indore. The images of Kohli immersed in the morning rituals have quickly gone viral, highlighting a profound personal transformation in the star batter’s life.
Virat Kohli’s visit was not a brief appearance but a deeply involved spiritual experience. He attended the famous Bhasma Aarti, a sacred pre-dawn ritual unique to the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Seated in the Nandi Hall, the former captain was seen draped in traditional religious attire, his forehead adorned with sacred tikas and yellow chandan. Observers noted how comfortably he blended in, singing along with the priests and offering prayers with a sense of calm that stood in stark contrast to his famously aggressive on-field persona. Following the aarti, temple authorities honored him with traditional shawls, marking his third major visit to the shrine since 2023.
This spiritual turn is particularly striking given Kohli’s early career stance. In the 2010s, he was known more for his fiery temper and a viral quote where he jokingly asked, "Do I look like the puja-paath types?" However, the years following his marriage to Anushka Sharma in 2017 have seen a visible shift. While he visited the Ujjain temple alone this time, the couple has frequently sought guidance from spiritual leaders like Shri Premanand Maharaj and visited Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram in Uttarakhand. Fans have even noted that Kohli often keeps a picture of the late guru as his phone wallpaper, suggesting that this "spiritual reset" has become a core part of his mental preparation for the game.
The timing of this visit was no coincidence. After a prolific run in ODIs including dominant centuries against South Africa and a strong showing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Kohli experienced a rare dip in form during the second ODI against New Zealand. With the series tied and moving to Indore for the final match, the visit to Mahakaleshwar appeared to be a way to find balance and focus. By following in the footsteps of coach Gautam Gambhir, Kohli signaled a unified team spirit and a personal desire to end the white-ball series on a high note.
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