Filmmaker and actor Aushim Khetarpal received a special spiritual leadership honour during the 17th Annual Spiritual Festival held at the sacred town of Tiruvannamalai. The recognition was presented by revered saints and spiritual leaders in appreciation of his long-standing contribution to films, television, and social welfare initiatives focused on spirituality, peace, and humanitarian values.
One of the major highlights of the event was the ceremonial lighting of the “Baton of Peace & Unity” torch by Aushim Khetarpal in the presence of more than 100 saints and spiritual leaders. The torch is associated with the globally recognised Sai Baba Peace Awards initiative and symbolises peace, compassion, and unity across nations and cultures.
The journey of the torch itself has carried deep symbolic meaning. The “Baton of Peace & Unity” was first initiated in October last year at Vatican City by the Pope. It later travelled to the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in South Africa before moving to Dallas, home to one of the world’s largest Sai Baba statues. From there, it continued through spiritual institutions associated with Amrita Maa and the Mother Teresa Foundation before finally reaching the sacred land of Arunachalam in Tiruvannamalai.
The event was organised under the guidance of Swamy Sai Ravichandran by the Akshaya Sri Sai Dhyana Sabai Temple in devotion to Sai Baba. Thousands of devotees took part in the sacred Girivalam, the spiritual parikrama around Arunachala Hill, which is considered deeply significant in Hindu spiritual tradition. The atmosphere throughout the festival reflected devotion, unity, and service to humanity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aushim Khetarpal said that the modern world urgently needs peace and compassion. He described the opportunity to light the sacred torch at Arunachala as both a proud and deeply spiritual experience. According to him, initiatives like the “Baton of Peace & Unity” and the Sai Baba Peace Awards carry immense significance in promoting harmony in today’s divided world.
Over the last three decades, Aushim Khetarpal has become widely known for creating films and television projects based on spiritual figures such as Sai Baba and Baba Ramdevsa Pir. Through his creative work, he has consistently used cinema as a medium to spread messages of faith, humanity, and social awareness.
His upcoming film Children of God is expected to continue that legacy. The inspirational coming-of-age social drama explores themes such as LGBTQIA+ identity, human rights, acceptance, and emotional healing. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 19.
The spiritual festival also included sacred rituals such as homam, abhishekam, aarti, nama sankeertanam, and bhajans. In keeping with the spirit of seva, organisers conducted large-scale charitable activities including annadaan, community meals, and the distribution of clothes to saints and devotees.
The event ultimately stood as more than just a religious gathering. It emerged as a powerful celebration of unity, compassion, peace, and humanity, echoing the timeless spiritual message: “Sabka Malik Ek.”
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