Julia Roberts Finds India Amazing

By Staff

Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 15:50

Julia Roberts went Indian during the launch of the shooting of Hollywood movie, “Eat, Pray, Love" in the Hindu way with the performance of Hawan (Fire sacrifice)

Rajan Zed, Hindu statesman explained 'hawan' as central to Hinduism, is a fire sacrificial ceremony in which ghee (clarified butter), grains, flowers, etc. are put as an offering (to the gods) accompanied by the holy chants called samans and hymns, stotra. The sacrifice is performed by the priests.

At Ashram Harimandir hermitage in Pataudi, about 60 KM from India's capital Delhi, priests performed the fire sacrificial ceremony before the commencement of the shooting for the movie's success.

Oscar winner Julia Roberts actively participated with her children, four-and-a-half-year-old twins-Hazel and Phinnaeus-and two year old Henry. She also took part in the mass lunch called the 'langar' according to reports.

Roberts went Indian in her attire and accessories and savoured the dishes from the Indian cuisine. On the first day's shooting, Roberts was dressed in black 'Salwar' ( a kind of trousers), purple 'Kurta' (a loose fitting upper garment) and wore 'Ruddraksh' (seeds of the tree Eleocarpus ganitrus) mala (rosary).

She also ate Indian dishes like 'Mutter Paneer' (peas with cottage cheese), 'Aloo Gobi' (Potato-Cauliflower), rice and Chapati (Indian thin bread). It is to be noted that the actor ate it the Indian way with bare hands. The actress is said to have enjoyed 'Gulab Jamun', an Indian sweet-meat.

However she is said to have used a hand fan to keep away the buzzing flies and the heat and humidity. As per the requirement of the movie, Roberts is said to rehearse a 182 verse Sanskrit chant in English which she is required to recite as a part of her script. The hotel where she is put up also has a unique Yoga centre as per wish.

The Oscar winner is said to have commented "India is really amazing."