From The Beatles who arrived in Rishikesh to learn transcendental meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to Julia Roberts who practices Hinduism and many more — the beauty of Hindu traditions has attracted foreigners in large numbers.
So when actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s wife, Anna Lezhneva, donated her hair at the Tirumala Tirupati temple as a gesture of gratitude after their son, Mark Shankar, survived a fire accident at his school in Singapore last week, it only reaffirmed the fact that the Hindu rituals and practices hold immense value in the belief systems of people from all over the world.
The act of devotion by Anna
Anna Lezhneva, wife of actor and Dy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, donated her hair at the Tirumala Tirupati temple as a gesture of gratitude after their son, Mark Shankar, survived a fire accident at his school in Singapore last week. Anna visited the temple on Sunday, and visuals from her visit have since surfaced online. “In keeping with tradition, Anna offered her hair at Padmavati Kalyana Katta and participated in rituals,” a press release from Janasena party said.
Anna, a Russian Orthodox Christian, signed a declaration form at Gayatri Sadan in the presence of temple officials, affirming her faith in the Lord before visiting the temple and participating in the rituals. Later, she also visited the temple to seek blessings from the lord.
“I feel past life connection with Shiva”
Austrian origin Sylvia Smetana, founder Divershefy
My first encounter with Hinduism was through Swami Hamsananda of the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh. He visited Austria, where I grew up, when I was just 18 years old, and held Satsang there. Since then, I have been spiritually connected with Hinduism. I first came to India in 1996 for a spiritual retreat in Bodhgaya and visited the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh. I got married to an Indian, and even though we lived in the US for many years, India was always our spiritual home. There was a deep sense of soul connection and relaxation whenever we came to India. After we moved to India in 2017 to take care of my husband’s elderly parents, I started to embrace the Hindu traditions a lot more actively. There is a deep memory of some past life connection with Shiva and some gurus in this tradition. I love going to temples, especially the smaller ones that are less crowded. My husband’s Shashtipoorthi was the most beautiful Hindu ceremony I have participated in, and it deeply reaffirmed my connection to Hinduism.
‘My connect with Lord Shiva was instant’
Yegor Svysokikhgor, Russian rockstar who heads the band Ciolkowska
I visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi for the first time during ‘Mahashivaratri’ in 2019. I could feel the vibes and the energy that engulfed the world’s most ancient city. It introduced me to the power of Lord Shiva, with whom my connection was instant. It’s that deep sense of devotion that keeps bringing me and my friend Alesya Izlesa back to Varanasi again and again — making the holy city by the river a home away from home. Each time we visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, we feel the powerful energy of Shiva. When he calls, we come. During our visit in 2023, we undertook the Amarnath Yatra as well. It was very difficult to get permission for the Amarnath Yatra. We invested a significant amount of time and energy in this process. I spoke to the local police chief and explained to him why it was important for us to visit Amarnath. Finally, he granted us permission. The power and energy we felt in Amarnath was similar to Kashi Vishwanath.
‘For me, Hinduism is a philosophy’
Sang Soerensen, who lives in Auroville
I was learning yoga in Rishikesh and heard about this big, auspicious Maha Kumbha Mela in Haridwar, so I went and saw the festival with some fellow travellers. Getting to sleep in the tent with sadhus, listening to them and observing their rituals, was a very soothing experience even though the place was so crowded. In the ashram we did meditation and puja/rituals. Once we chanted chapters from the Bhagavad Gita for hours. In Auroville, where I live, we have our spiritual centre, Matrimandir. I find silence and inner peace there. For me, Hinduism is like a way of life, a philosophy more than a religion.
Julia Roberts is drawn to Hinduism
Julia Roberts was inspired by Hinduism after seeing a photograph of the deity Hanuman alongside the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, who died in 1973. It is quite astonishing that Julia Roberts never had the chance to meet Neem Karoli Baba yet still feels a connection to him. Her journey to Kaichi Dham deepened her commitment to the spiritual path.
Julia became so immersed in the religion that she wore a bindi on her forehead during her visit to India. She chose the name Red Om Films for her production house. “Hinduism is something I am very intrigued by and very interested in.”
Eminent personalities such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Virat Kohli and many others had a life-changing experience with Neem Karoli Baba.
Hugh Jackman, known for his roles in films such as X-Men, The Greatest Showman, and Les Misérables, studied the Bhagavad Gita and has since become a dedicated follower of Hinduism.
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