The last few months have been heavy on the mind for so many of us. In times like this, seeking spiritual comfort in returning to our basics is always a good idea.
Today, we bring you a collection of the greatest devotional shows, or Bhakti Serials, broadcast on Indian television.
So don’t wait as we take you on this rich, cultural journey that will be full of nostalgia for the 90s kids!
Best Devotional TV Shows of Hindi Television
Jai Hanuman (1997-2000)
Loved by young and older devotees alike, this popular God of the Hindu religion has a plethora of activities and anecdotes that are loved and passed down through the generations at Indian homes. Based on the life of the monkey avatar of Lord Shiva, Jai Hanuman was directed by Sanjay Khan and broadcasted on DD Metro and Sony.
Raj Premi starred as Hanuman and really brought the character to life. The scenes of Hanuman burning down Lanka or swallowing the Sun particularly stand out in the 178-episode series.
Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987-1988)
The major blockbuster show based on the Sanksrit epic by Valmiki was a hit across India when it launched! It also received huge viewership numbers when it was re-broadcasted for the lockdown in 2020, with 77 million viewers.
The show focuses on the life of Lord Ram as he is forced to go on exile for fourteen years and what happens when the evil Ravana abducts his wife, Goddess Sita. With ahead-of-its-time graphics and a gripping storyline, this one is going to be on our evergreen list of shows to watch!
Shri Krishna (1993-1997)
A show on Lord Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead and the core spirit of Hinduism, it was created by RamanandSagar as well. With weekly airing on Doorsarshan, it became a morning ritual for the entire family to watch this together.
Originally based on multiple religious’ texts but focusing on the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharat, the show depicts the life of Lord Krishna from his birth to the battlefield at Kurukshetra. Scenes where he lifts an entire mountain on his finger to save mankind and the one where he sermons Arjuna on the battlefield particularly gained popularity.
B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988-1990)
The cult hit show based on the ancient Sanksrit epic started airing after Ramayana completed its episodes. Each episode began with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita and was followed by sixty minutes of excellent storytelling.
Mahabharat focuses on the lives of brother Pandavas and Kauravas and is shown as the fight between wrong and right in society. Even today, many families rely on the show’s episodes to introduce its lessons to the younger children. Watch it for the values of human society it intrinsically talks about!
Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev (2011-2014)
The famous Hindi shows revolve around the life of Lord Shiva, one of the three pillars of Hinduism and often referred to as the destroyer. Mohit Raina, who plays Lord Shiva, beautifully portrays his journey from being an ascetic to a family man.
Like most other Gods and Goddesses, Lord Shiva also has a rich anecdotal history that forms the crux of this show. Especially the scenes where he drinks poison to save humanity, thereby fetching him the name Neelkanth is particularly well depicted in the show. Mouni Roy as Goddess Sati is also worth watching in this classic show.
Also Read: Best Devotional Hindi Films of all Time
Dharmakshetra (2014)
Aired on EPIC Channel and dealing with a very unique theme, this show was extremely well received across the country. The story takes you on the journey after Mahabharat ends. When Pandavas and Kauravas reach the court of Chitragupta after the battle ends, they have to answer questions posed to them about their actions and virtues of righteousness.
Each episode of the series focuses on one particular character and we are amazed at how timeless the script is! Even in today’s age, the words and situations remain relevant. All episodes are on Netflix now, go catch it if you haven’t yet!
Luv Kush – by Ramanand Sagar (1988-1989)
We cannot refrain from discussing what happened after the Ramayana when we just discuss what happened after the Mahabharata, can we?
This show focuses on the lives of Luv and Kush, sons of Lord Rama, and their lives after Lord Rama’s crowning as king after the battle. Largely based on the last part of the Ramayana, Uttara Kanda, this show again poses multiple questions about absolute right versus wrong. The re-broadcast during the recent lockdown garnered high viewership as well.
Vishnu Puran (2000-2002)
This one, again by B.R. Chopra, focuses on Lord Vishnu. Along with Lord Brahma, who is the creator, and Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer, Lord Vishnu is one of the pillars of Hindu dharma and is seen as the preserver of life.
The show beautifully depicts the ten avatars of God and was telecasted on DD National. The scenes with the stories of Narasimha Dev and Parashurama later on, are particularly enjoyable and teach us how religion is heavily focused on doing the right thing irrespective of the situation surrounding humanity!
Om Namah Shivay (1997-1999)
Another popular show from the 90s based on the life of Lord Shiva, this weaves stories in and out of the holy books really well. Its storyline starts with the creation of the universe and follows Lord Shiva’s life as he gets married to Goddess Sati and Goddess Parvati later on.
The show is essential to the cultural heritage of India and depicts how central a character to the religion, Lord Shiva is; with his intervention at important points throughout the timeline.
Mahima Shani Dev Ki (2008-2009)
Based on the life and stories of Lord Shani, the Hindu God of the planet Saturn. Often deeply feared, the wrath of the God is something every religious believer wants to save themselves from.
The show depicts tales from Lord Shani’s life breaking the myths and wrong notions that people carry about him. The show features Daya Shankar Pandey as Shanidev who does a tremendous job of portraying the character.
Santoshi Maa (2015-2017)
Probably the newest show on our list, Santoshi Maa, explores the life and tales of Goddess Santoshi, who is known as the Mother of Satisfaction and is very popular among women from Northern India.
The protagonist of the show is Santoshi, who is a huge follower of Santoshi Mata and believes that the Goddess will heal and save her from all ills. This show is a great blend of Sanatan Dharam and drama. Watch it for the great narration and acting performances.
Also Read: Movies based on Hindu Gods.
We hope you enjoyed our collection of divine shows we brought for you. It is a great tool to stay connected to your roots and learn about the rich heritage of this great country. Let us know in the comments what your favorite scenes were and which other God you would like to see a show being made on.
