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Written By: Kunal Dargan
Haridwar: The ashes of legendary Hindi cinema icon Dharmendra were immersed in the holy river Ganga at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on Wednesday in a solemn and private ceremony attended only by close family members. The veteran actor passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, leaving behind a towering legacy in Indian cinema that spanned over six decades.
Confirming the development, the family priest Sandeep Parashar Shrotriya said the immersion rituals were conducted away from media glare and public presence, strictly maintaining the family’s wish for privacy during the final rites. “The family wanted the ceremony to remain completely personal and spiritual in nature. Hence, no public announcements were made, and strict discretion was maintained,” he said.
According to the priest, the rituals were preceded by traditional pre-immersion ceremonies at a private hotel in Haridwar, following which the ashes were taken to Har Ki Pauri, one of the most revered ghats on the Ganga. In keeping with the family’s decision to avoid crowding, Dharmendra’s grandson Karan Deol, son of actor Sunny Deol, performed the immersion rituals.
“Sunny Deol wanted to perform the ritual himself, but due to security and crowd concerns, the responsibility was entrusted to his son Karan,” Shrotriya said. The young actor reached Har Ki Pauri with select family members on a two-wheeler, ensuring minimal attention and smooth movement at the crowded pilgrimage site.
Sunny Deol and his brother Bobby Deol had arrived in Haridwar on Tuesday, and the immersion was initially scheduled for the same day. However, the plan was postponed because one of the close relatives could not arrive in time, and the family chose to wait until everyone was present before performing the sacred rite.
Since Dharmendra’s passing, the Deol family has maintained a dignified silence, avoiding public statements and media interactions. Last week, the family hosted a prayer meeting in Mumbai, titled ‘Celebration of Life’, which saw the presence of several prominent personalities from the film industry who gathered to pay their respects to the legendary actor.
Fondly known as the “He-Man of Hindi cinema”, Dharmendra remained one of the most beloved stars of Indian cinema, with an enduring fan base across generations. His quiet and private farewell mirrored the family’s desire to honour his memory with dignity, devotion, and restraint.
