Deepika Singh dances at Bhartari Gufa in Ujjain on Sawan Somwar
Synopsis
Actress Deepika Singh walked into Bhartari Gufa in Ujjain for a quiet meditation on the first Sawan Somwar — and walked out having offered an unrehearsed Odissi dance to Lord Shiva. With no rehearsal and only a reel as reference, she credits her classical training and the cave's energy for what she calls 'meditation in motion.'
Key Takeaways
Deepika Singh performed an impromptu Odissi dance inside Bhartari Gufa , Ujjain, on the first Sawan Somwar .
The dance was set to the track Chandrachooda by Raghu and was not rehearsed beforehand.
Singh described the act as a devotional offering to Lord Shiva and Lord Nataraja , calling it 'meditation in motion.' Bhartari Gufa in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh , is associated with the sage Bhartrihari , who is said to have meditated there for 12 years .
The 36-year-old actress is known for her debut in Diya Aur Baati Hum and her 2022 film debut in Titu Ambani .
Television actress Deepika Singh turned a quiet morning of meditation at the ancient Bhartari Gufa in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, into an unrehearsed act of devotion, performing an impromptu dance to the track Chandrachooda by Raghu inside the sacred cave on the occasion of the first Sawan Somwar. The actress shared the video on Instagram, where it drew widespread attention for its spontaneity and spiritual intent.
The Moment Inside the Cave
According to Singh, the impulse to dance came to her after sitting for a few long breaths inside the cave — a site where the legendary king-turned-sage Bhartrihari is believed to have meditated for 12 years. She had not rehearsed the piece; her only reference was a reel she had watched a few days earlier.
In her own words from the caption: 'Om Namah Shivaya! Have a blessed and devotional first Sawan Somwar. Yesterday morning, after sitting for a few long breaths in Bhartari Gufa — where Raja Bhartari meditated for 12 years — a thought came to me.'
She added: 'Dance on Chandrachuda. Just 1 minute. I didn't rehearse. I had only seen a reel a few days back. But my ODISSI, my intention, and that inexplicable energy in the cave pushed me.'
Devotion, Not Performance
Singh, who has trained in Odissi classical dance, described the act as meditation in motion rather than a staged performance. Before beginning, she bowed to her guru and touched her forehead to the earth — a gesture of reverence she said grounded the offering.
'Before I began, I bowed to my Guru, my teacher, and touched my forehead to Mother Earth. For me, this wasn't a performance. It was meditation in motion. A gratitude offering to Lord Nataraja, to Lord Shiva,' she wrote.
She concluded: 'While dancing, time stood still. I was in awe of this universe, the beauty, the life force in everything. I felt aligned. Har Har Mahadev.'
About Bhartari Gufa
Bhartari Gufa are ancient rock-cut caves situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. They are historically associated with Bhartrihari, a scholar-king who renounced his throne and is credited with Sanskrit literary works including the Niti Shataka. The site holds deep religious significance, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva, and draws pilgrims especially during the month of Sawan.
Deepika Singh: Career in Brief
The 36-year-old actress made her television debut with Diya Aur Baati Hum, portraying IPS officer Sandhya Kothari Rathi opposite Anas Rashid — a role that established her in Hindi television. She returned to the screen in 2019 with Kavach... Mahashivrati, playing a double role opposite Namik Paul and Vin Rana, and later appeared as an advocate in the web series Halala. In 2022, she made her film debut with Titu Ambani opposite Tushar Pandey.
The video from Bhartari Gufa adds a personal, devotional dimension to her public persona, reflecting the intersection of classical arts training and spiritual practice that she says has long informed her craft.
Point of View
A named track, a named guru, and an explicit classical form. That granularity is rare in celebrity spiritual content, which tends toward vague inspiration. The more interesting question the video raises is whether Odissi — a form with deep Shaivite roots — is finding new audiences through precisely this kind of informal, algorithm-driven rediscovery.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bhartari Gufa located and why is it significant?
Bhartari Gufa is a set of ancient rock-cut caves in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. They are associated with the scholar-king Bhartrihari, who is believed to have meditated there for 12 years and authored Sanskrit works including the Niti Shataka. The site is a revered pilgrimage destination, especially during the month of Sawan.
What dance did Deepika Singh perform at Bhartari Gufa?
Deepika Singh performed an unrehearsed Odissi classical dance to the track Chandrachooda by Raghu inside Bhartari Gufa. She said the only preparation she had was watching a reel of the song a few days earlier, and that her classical training and the energy of the cave guided the rest.
Why did Deepika Singh call the dance 'meditation in motion'?
Singh described the performance as a devotional offering rather than a staged act, saying she bowed to her guru and touched her forehead to the earth before beginning. She said time stood still while she danced and that she felt spiritually aligned, framing it as a gratitude offering to Lord Nataraja and Lord Shiva.
What is Deepika Singh known for in Indian television?
Deepika Singh is best known for playing IPS officer Sandhya Kothari Rathi in Diya Aur Baati Hum opposite Anas Rashid, which was her television breakthrough. She later appeared in Kavach... Mahashivrati (2019), the web series Halala, and made her film debut in Titu Ambani in 2022.
What is the significance of Sawan Somwar for Shiva devotees?
Sawan Somwar refers to the Mondays falling in the Hindu month of Sawan (typically July–August), considered especially auspicious for devotees of Lord Shiva. Pilgrimages, fasting, and acts of devotion — such as visiting Shiva temples and sacred sites — are common observances during this period.
