America's leading Hindus have applauded Julia Roberts for showing them respect during a recent trip to the sacred Taj Mahal temple in Agra, India.
The Pretty Woman star and her husband Danny Moder were spotted visiting the tourist attraction last week (ends23Jan09) - and Roberts was photographed sporting a bindi mark on her forehead - which has delighted the Hindu nation.
Nevada-based Hindu statesman Rajan Zed tells WENN, "Julia Roberts honoured the traditions of India by sporting a bindi on her forehead during her recent trip to India, and we are very happy she did. It was a mark of respect that has not gone unnoticed.
"I would personally like to extend an invitation to Ms. Roberts and her family to visit with me if the trip to India has sparked an interest in Hinduism, and other Hindu leaders here in America would be glad to share their knowledge."
Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, has urged other top stars to follow Roberts' example - and show the Hindu faith more respect on TV, film and in music videos.
Last year (08), the USH demanded apologies from Heidi Klum, Mike Myers and Natalie Portman for their ill-advised portrayals of Hindu figures - Myers played a Hindu spiritual leader in The Love Guru, Klum dressed up as Hindu Goddess Kali for a Halloween party and Portman portrayed Hindu princess Carmensita Saplingita in then-boyfriend Davendra Banhart's video Carmensita.
Zed says, "Since Hollywood has such a worldwide reach, Hollywood bigwigs and stars should become familiar with at least the basics of world religions to understand the feelings of their audiences better."
Roberts isn't the first non-Hindu to sport a bindi in public - Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Shakira, Nelly Furtado and Britney Spears have also turned the religious sign into a fashion statement in the past.
A bindi is a small round mark of vermillion applied in the middle of the forehead close to the eyebrows. Besides decoration, the bindi is said to symbolise good fortune. It strengthens concentration and retains energy; protecting against bad luck and demons.
Zed admits he has been aware of Roberts' interest in Hinduism for years: "She has a production company called Red Om Films, and Om in Hinduism is the mystical syllable containing the universe, which is used to introduce and conclude religious work."