Hardik Pandya Shaves Head, Offers Prayers At Venkateswara Swamy Temple With Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma

Tirumala: Cricketer Hardik Pandya and his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma visited the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. The couple participated in the famous Suprabhatam Seva, held in the morning, and received Lord Venkateswara's blessings. Photos and videos of the two from the temple premises are rapidly going viral on social media.

Did Hardik shave his head?

The cricketer during his temple visit for darshan of Venkateshwara, was wearing white kurta  and dhoti, but what grabbed everyone attention on him was his shaved head that might have been done as a tradition for fulfilling some religious offering.

VIDEO | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya offers prayers during the Suprabhata Seva at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/HKdtPmcyC3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 2, 2026

Whereas Mahieka was wearing a white printed salwar suit. Throughout the entire visit, both maintained their devotion and performed the worship according to the traditions. 

Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh: Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, participated in the Suprabhatham Seva at the shrine of Lord Venkateswara. pic.twitter.com/nGf5Q1GWSt

— IANS (@ians_india) August 1, 2026

For the temple visit, Hardik wore traditional Indian clothing, a kurta and dhoti, while Mahieka wore a white printed salwar suit.

Has Hardik taken a break due to an injury?

The Indian all-rounder is currently on break due to his injury. His fans see his visit to Tirupati Balaji as a start before a new phase and upcoming cricket matches.

Hardik Pandya has been on a break since IPL 2026 due to back stiffness and a subsequent thigh muscle injury. According to media reports, Hardik is fully fit and ready to return to Team India. He has also completed the return-to-play protocol at the BCCI's Center of Excellence, which is mandatory for any injured player. He is likely to return in the next white-ball series.