With Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan set to tie the knot, the actress's mother Vrinda Rai has performed a special puja at Nagabana in Sonthady near Kasargod, her birthplace.

The puja performed Thursday morning by Vrinda in keeping with the traditions of Tulunadu culture is an annual affair, a close relative of Aishwarya told the press on condition of anonymity. All the members of the family, except for Aishwarya, took part in the puja in the family home at Sonthady, the relative said.

Aishwarya's father Krishnarajendra Rai arrived here from Mumbai this morning and performed puja in the temple of Dharmasthala, he said. Abhishek and Aishwarya got engaged at a quiet ceremony in Mumbai on January 14. The engagement came about one and a half months after the couple, accompanied by Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya, offered prayers at the Varanasi temple.

All eyes turned to Bangalore when Aishwarya's family astrologer Chandrashekhara Swamy, based in Mulky, was consulted on the alliance as Rai had Kuja dosha.

Image: Airshwarya's parents Krishnarajenra and Vrunda Rai (at left) after offering  prayers at Dharmasthala Temple, about 90 kms from Mangalore

Text: PTI | Photograph: Shankari Posavanike