Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA) - pics - Vijay Kotian

Mangalore, Apr 26: Bollywood siren Shilpa Shetty has been hitting news headlines continuously these days.  Whether it was her stint with 'Big Bother' and the racist issue that was sparked by her co-participant Jade Goody, meeting Queen Elizabeth II or the more recent and infamous kiss by Richard Gere, Shilpa has been the talk around the globe.

Though her critics would still maintain that it was these out-of-the-screen scenes which have enabled her to increase her popularity, one cannot deny that she is one among a few celebrities who cannot be sidelined forever.

She was at her mother's native near Niddodi here for the last couple of days on a private visit, which however did not attract much media glare.  Shilpa along with her actress sister Shamitha, performed certain religious rites at Mudalady which is the birth place of her mother Sunanda Shetty.

'Nemotsava' was performed in honour of Jarandaya daiva (Shilpa's family god) which she said was due for long.  The programme was planned even before she participated in 'Big Brother' show.  She offered silver bimbas (masks) to her family god.  The rituals which began on Monday April 23 culminated with special poojas and rites on Wednesday April 25.

Her stay in Mudalady was much appreciated by the locals there.  She was aperfect embodiment of local culture with her polished Tulu and mannerisms.  It was after a long gap of 16 years that she was in Mudalady.

Bollywood actress and 'Big Brother' celebrity Shilpa Shetty along with her actress sister Shamita Shetty on Wednesday, offered silver Bimbas (mask) to her family daiva Jarandhaya at this small and sleepy village. The rituals that started two days back culminated with Shilpa and her family offering special poojas to the Daiva.  Shilpa stayed awake for two nights on Monday and Tuesday till dawn, to watch every ritual that was connected with presentation of the silver mask to Jarandhaya.