Big B performs `shradh` in Patan

Banaskantha: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is shooting in Gujarat for an ad campaign on tourism, Monday performed `shradh` (ritual performed after death of one`s parents) at famous Bindu Sarovar in Siddhpur town of Patan district, officials said.

Bindu Sarovar is a well known place for `matru tarpan` (shradh for one`s mother) and Big B performed the ritual before leaving for Vadnagar in Mehsana district. Over a dozen priests participated in the act, they said.

"He (Bachchan) spent nearly five hours at the place and then left for Vadnagar in Mehsana district in the afternoon," said Patan Collector J G Hingrajiya.

"Bindu sarovar in Siddhpur is only place in India where `matru-shradh` can be performed. Thousands of people come here annually to perform the ritual," he added.

The actor later in the evening began shooting for the promotional campaign `Khushboo Gujarat Ki`(Essence of Gujarat) for Gujarat tourism at famous Toran or the ancient pillars of Vadnagar in Mehsana.

According to sources, Bachchan was surprised when he was told that the magnificent pillars were built in red and yellow sand stones without lime or any cementing material and each pillar occupied more than 2.25 sq metre which gives massive stability to the pillars that resembles closely with those at Modhera sun temple, located 25 km away from Mehsana.

Late in the evening, Bachchan left for Balaram Resort Palace in Banaskantha where he will make a night halt before leaving for temple town of Ambaji tomorrow to continue the shooting.