Who is superstar Rajinikanth's spiritual guru? India Today found out in Uttarakhand

Rajinikanth is considered as the ultimate superstar, surrounded with fame and legendary fan following. He is the guru of most film actors. But, many have often asked who Rajinikanth's spiritual guru is?

Every year, the Tamil superstar conducts a pilgrimage to foothills of Himalayas, where he meditates in silence and secrecy.

India Today travelled to the mountain-state of Uttarkhand, trekking over hills, driving on narrow passages to explore this lesser-known fact about the celebrated artist.

Hidden in a quaint village in Almora district of Kumaon region is the cave of Maha-Avtaar Baba. The life of the saint has been penned by Yogananda Parmahansa in the book "Autobiography of a Yogi".

The cave is situated 5,000 feet above sea level, atop a hill in Dunagiri and is maintained by the the Yoga Satsanga Society of India (YSS). Complete wilderness surrounds the cave and the destination is reached after one-hour trek through the treacherous terrain.

GC Joshi is the owner of a roadside dhaba which has achieved instant fame due to occasional visits of the legendary actor . "Yes, he comes here and eats plain dal-rice without spices. He is a very simple and humble man. After his meal, he goes up to the hill-top and meditates for hours," said Joshi flaunting photographs of Thalaiva at his restaurant.

Rajinikanth, with four more devotees, contributed to build a meditation centre in the area, which has been donated to the YSS. The YSS organises annual meditation events for spirituality in the mountains. The ashram also provides free education to the children of local residents.

The meditation centre took six-eight months to build and cost approximately one crore rupees. The greh-pravesh ceremony was held on Friday, November 10. Followers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi had thronged the opening of the centre. Local residents also joined in the ceremony.

The superstar, initially expected to attend, had to cancel due to work schedule.

The centre constitutes four bedrooms, kitchen, separate lavatories, a hall for meditation events. The purpose of the centre is to provide accommodation to devotees arriving from across the country.

Rajinikanth was introduced to the Baba cave by a close aide and businessman Vishwanathan Sri Hari, a devotee who had been visiting the cave since 1998.

The duo have travelled from Tamil Nadu to Uttarkhand for years now and his friends say Rajinikanth credits a positive change in his career to his visits to the cave.

"He and his wife visited the site once and we initiated the technique of kriya yoga to him. Since then, Rajnikanth has liked the prayers and meditation and has followed the practice with complete devotion. He recognises the positive change it brought in his life," said Hari, who also joined India Today on the expedition to the cave.

"I do not know how Rajini would be as a politician. He is a simple man and if there is no alternative in Tamil Nadu politics then he may make an announcement. Rajinikanth does not mix spirituality with politics. His spiritual decision (of contributing for the meditation centre) is not a result of any professional decision. Spirituality is personal to him," added Hari.

With Hari, another businessman V.D Murthy and two more associates contributed toward the construction and attended the ceremony. Thalaiva is expected to visit the newly-built meditation centre in March next year.

The manager of the centre, Ravi Harbola, is excited and eagerly awaiting the day the superstar will arrive. A local resident, his house is often a temporary accommodation to many travellers around the ashram in Dwarhat.

"I was excited to meet Rajini sir this time but he is busy and could not come. I am informed he may come in March next year and I cannot wait to host him. It will be a privilege. I will keep everything organised and prepared. I have been given the responsibility to maintain the centre and take care of the devotees who stay here," said Harbola.

WATCH VIDEO | India Today's quest to find Rajinikanth's spiritual guru in the hills of Uttarakhand