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Virat Kohli is Hindu. He was born into a Punjabi Hindu family in Delhi, married Anushka Sharma in a Hindu ceremony and has a tattoo of Lord Shiva. He has said he believes in God but values self-realization over regular ritual.
| Religion | Hinduism |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed: family background, Hindu wedding and public temple visits |
| Full name | Virat Kohli |
| Born | November 5, 1988, Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Cricketer; former India captain |
| Family faith background | Punjabi Hindu family |
What Religion Is Virat Kohli?
Kohli is Hindu. He was raised in a Punjabi Hindu household in Delhi and has practised Hinduism in public at key moments in his life, from his wedding to temple visits with his family.
Because he is Punjabi, he is sometimes assumed to be Sikh. He is not; his family is Hindu.
In His Own Words: God Without Constant Ritual
Kohli has described his faith as inward. In a widely quoted interview he said: “I do believe in God. But you won’t find me visiting temples every now and then. I believe in self-realization.” He added that peace of mind matters a lot to him.
Before his marriage he also said he was not the “pooja-path” type, a Hindi expression for someone who follows daily ritual worship.
Hindu Wedding and Temple Visits
Kohli married actress Anushka Sharma on December 11, 2017, at Borgo Finocchieto in Tuscany, Italy, in a traditional Hindu ceremony preceded by mehendi and haldi rituals.
In March 2023 the couple attended the Bhasma Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain, one of Hinduism’s most sacred Shiva shrines. Kohli wore a dhoti and performed jalabhishek. They have also made spiritual visits to Rishikesh.
The Shiva Tattoo
Among Kohli’s tattoos is one on his left forearm showing Lord Shiva meditating on Mount Kailash. He has explained that it reminds him to let Shiva, the destroyer in Hindu belief, destroy the negativity in himself. He also has an Om symbol tattoo.
Standing Up for Teammates of Other Faiths
After fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who is Muslim, faced religious abuse online following India’s loss to Pakistan at the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli, then captain, defended him. He told reporters that attacking someone over their religion is “the most pathetic thing that a human being can do.”
FAQ
Is Virat Kohli Sikh?
No. Kohli is Punjabi, but his family is Hindu and he practises Hinduism.
Does Virat Kohli go to temples?
Yes, though he says he does not visit regularly. Notable visits include Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain in 2023.
What does Virat Kohli's Shiva tattoo mean?
He says it reminds him to destroy the negativity in himself, reflecting Shiva’s role as destroyer in Hinduism.
Related Celebrities
- Abhishek Sharma's religion
- Nashra Sandhu's religion
- Shahid Kapoor's religion
- Erling Haaland's religion
Sources
- ESPNcricinfo: Kohli backs Shami, 'Attacking someone over religion is the most pathetic thing'
- Gulf News: Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli offer prayers at Hindu temple in Ujjain
- EssentiallySports: Virat Kohli, 'I am not religious'
- Cricket Addictor: Virat Kohli's tattoos and their meanings
- Gulf News: Inside the Anushka-Virat wedding
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
