Maha Shivratri 2026: Ananya Panday Performs Aarti In Jodhpur. See Pics
Ananya Panday celebrated Maha Shivratri 2026 with a serene temple visit in Jodhpur, sharing moments of devotion and prayer away from the spotlight.
While the rest of the world might be catching up on the latest OTT releases or nursing a Valentine’s Day hangover, Ananya Panday chose a path of peace and prayer this past weekend. Marking the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri 2026, the ‘Call Me Bae’ star took to Instagram to share a soul-stirring photo dump from her visit to a serene temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. She captioned the post, “My happiest place. Har Har Mahadev. Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Maha Shivratri. May Mahadev always guide and protect you.”
The post offered a rare, intimate glimpse into the actress’s spiritual side, away from the glitz and glamour of film sets.
Check out Ananya Panday’s Instagram post below:
The carousel of images and videos shared by Ananya painted a picture of deep devotion. In the lead video, the actress was seen performing Aarti, gently waving a traditional oil lamp (diya) before a beautifully adorned Shivling. Dressed in a breezy, light-blue floral printed cotton suit paired with a dupatta, Ananya looked every bit the desi girl-next-door. With her hair tied back in a neat bun and her eyes closed in meditation, the serenity on her face was palpable.
One particular standout image showed Ananya Panday seated cross-legged on a red velvet cushion, her hands joined in prayer. A bright vermilion tilak graced her forehead, symbolizing the completion of the rituals. The backdrop featured an intricately carved marble temple interior, adding to the old-world charm of Jodhpur’s architectural heritage.
The actress also gave her fans a detailed look at the Puja setup. The Shivling was a sight to behold, layered with mounds of fresh red rose petals and draped in garlands of white marigolds. A close-up shot revealed the presence of ‘Bel Patra’ (bael leaves) and ‘Datura’ fruit – offerings traditionally associated with Lord Shiva to seek his blessings for strength and protection.
Another slide featured a vibrant idol of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, tucked into a marble niche and adorned with bright yellow blossoms and offerings of apples and bananas.
The post quickly garnered over 370k likes, with the comment section turning into a virtual temple of its own. Her mother, Bhavana Pandey, was quick to drop an ‘Om Namah Shivay’, while actress Nimrat Kaur left a trail of heart and sparkle emojis. Even Mouni Roy, a known devotee of Mahadev, showed her love by liking the post.
This isn’t Ananya’s first spiritual pit stop of the year. Only a few weeks ago, she visited the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra, calling it “the beginning of the best journey”. It seemed 2026 is the year of the “soul detox” for the young star.
Apart from Ananya, several other stars including Bhumi Pednekar, Mouni Roy and more celebrated Maha Shivratri 2026.
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ananya is currently gearing up for the theatrical release of her romantic drama ‘Chand Mera Dil’, opposite Lakshya, slated for May 8, 2026. Additionally, fans are eagerly awaiting the second season of her hit series ‘Call Me Bae’, where she’ll return as the lovable heiress-turned-hustler, Bella Chowdhary.
