Ahead of the ICC Final: A look at 5 spiritual destinations inspired by Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, has been making headlines with his stellar performance in the ICC Champions. As India and New Zealand prepare to face off in the finals today, we extend our best wishes to Team India.
Here, we take a look at Kohli’s deep inclination toward spirituality, and a few places he has visited over the years. Kohli has openly embraced spiritual retreats, temple visits, and mindfulness practices that help him find inner peace and balance amid his demanding career. For those looking to embark on a similar journey of self-discovery and tranquility, here are some spiritual destinations inspired by Virat Kohli’s travels.

Anushka and Kohli have been to this holy ashram in Kainchi Dham, which is close to Nainital. Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have visited this ashram, which is well-known for its intense spiritual intensity. If you haven't been to this place before, pay a visit to this place for spiritual enlightenment, and find a space for meditation, devotion, and introspection.

Rishikesh is another destination that aligns with Kohli’s interest in spiritual well-being. With the sacred Ganga flowing through it and numerous ashrams offering meditation and yoga retreats, Rishikesh provides an ideal setting for mindfulness and rejuvenation. Visitors can also experience the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. Recently, Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Swami Dayanand Giri’s Ashram in Rishikesh as part of their spiritual journey. Their visit gained attention when photos from the ashram went viral.

Often referred to as the land of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan is a calm and revered place. Kohli, who has always expressed his love to Lord Krishna, recently visited this holy site with his wife Anushka Sharma and their children Vamika and Akaay. The pair sought the blessings of spiritual guru Premanand Maharaj Ji prior to India's cricket series against England. The temples, kirtans, and spiritual gatherings that offer an immersion experience in bhakti and inner peace make it the perfect place for anyone on a spiritual quest.

Prior to the Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2016, Virat Kohli, who was leading the team at that time, paid a visit to the Golden Temple with his family. He paid respects at the Golden Temple, and said, " I felt quite happy and peaceful after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple and I feel blessed.” A must-see for anyone on a spiritual journey, the Golden Temple is a place for peaceful serenity, where you can be a part of calming kirtans, see the revered Sarovar (holy water tank), and the selfless service at the langar (community kitchen).

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a powerful spiritual site dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. Virat Kohli and his wife paid a visit to this temple in 2023, when Anushka Sharma said, “We came here to offer prayers and had a good ‘darshan’ at Mahakaleshwar Temple.“ It's another temple that serves as a good place for anyone seeking inner peace.