Shilpa Shetty offers Naga Panchami prayers with mother at temple
Synopsis
Shilpa Shetty's Naga Panchami post was more than a celebrity festival update — it was a spotlight on the Tulu Nadu region's serpent-deity tradition, rarely seen in mainstream Bollywood coverage. With co-star Suniel Shetty sharing his own Mulki memories the same day, two of Hindi cinema's most recognisable Mangalorean faces put a deeply regional, ancestral practice on the national feed.
Key Takeaways
Shilpa Shetty offered Naga Panchami prayers at a temple with her mother Sunanda Shetty on 17 August .
Shilpa identified herself as a Bunt from Mangalore , citing Naga Daiva worship as central to her family's ancestral tradition.
Suniel Shetty , also from Mulki, Mangalore , shared a video of his own Naga Dev pooja on Instagram the same day.
Both actors described the festival as a personal reconnection with roots, not merely a religious ritual.
Naga Daiva worship is a defining tradition of the Tulu Nadu coastal belt, tied to lineage, land, and ancestral protection.
Actress Shilpa Shetty marked Naga Panchami by returning to her cultural roots, offering prayers to the Naga Daiva at a temple alongside her mother, Sunanda Shetty. The actress shared glimpses of the religious visit on her social media, underscoring her deep connection to Mangalorean tradition.
A Bunt Tradition Close to Her Heart
Shilpa, who hails from the Bunt community of Mangalore, wrote on the photo-sharing app: 'Naga Daiva holds a deeply sacred place in my heart. Being a Bunt from Mangalore, I've grown up with a deep reverence for Naga Daiva worship, a tradition that connects me to my roots, ancestors, and a lineage believed to protect our progeny and family.'
She added: 'Grateful to carry these beautiful traditions forward. Happy Nagapanchami!' The posts offered a rare personal window into a regional devotional practice that remains central to coastal Karnataka's cultural identity.
Suniel Shetty Also Reconnects with Mangalorean Roots
Before Shilpa, her Dhadkan co-star Suniel Shetty — also from Mangalore — shared his own Naga Panchami observance on his official Instagram account, posting a clip of himself performing the pooja of the Naga Dev.
Suniel, who grew up in Mulki, Mangalore, captioned the post: 'Naga Panchami always takes me back home. Growing up in Mulki, Mangalore, Naga Dev has always been a part of our family and our traditions. For me, it is not just a festival but a reminder of the faith, values and connection to our roots that we carry with us.' He concluded by 'seeking the blessings of Naga Dev for peace, strength and protection.'
What Is Naga Panchami and Why It Matters in Coastal Karnataka
Naga Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of serpent deities, observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravan. In the Tulu Nadu region — encompassing Mangalore and the surrounding coastal belt — Naga Daiva worship is particularly prominent, woven into the fabric of family lineage, land, and ancestral protection. For Bunt and Tulu-speaking communities, the tradition carries spiritual and genealogical significance that extends beyond a single annual festival.
Celebrities Keeping Regional Traditions Visible
Both Shilpa and Suniel Shetty's public observances have drawn attention to a devotional tradition that rarely receives mainstream spotlight. Notably, the two actors share not just a Mangalorean heritage but also a professional history, having appeared together in the 2000 film Dhadkan. Their posts collectively reflect a broader trend of public figures using social media to preserve and amplify regional cultural practices.
Point of View
A practice with deep anthropological roots that mainstream media routinely overlooks. The timing is notable: both she and Suniel Shetty posted independently on the same day, suggesting the festival holds genuine personal meaning rather than being a coordinated PR exercise. What these posts quietly do is assert regional identity within a Hindi film industry that often flattens its stars into a pan-Indian mould. That assertion, however small, is worth tracking.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shilpa Shetty do on Naga Panchami?
Shilpa Shetty visited a temple with her mother Sunanda Shetty to offer prayers to the Naga Daiva on the occasion of Naga Panchami. She shared photographs and a personal note on social media about her Mangalorean Bunt heritage and its connection to the tradition.
What is Naga Daiva worship?
Naga Daiva worship is a serpent-deity tradition prominent in the Tulu Nadu coastal region of Karnataka, particularly among Bunt and Tulu-speaking communities. It is believed to protect family lineage and progeny, and is observed during festivals like Naga Panchami as well as through year-round rituals at sacred groves.
Did Suniel Shetty also observe Naga Panchami?
Yes. Suniel Shetty, who grew up in Mulki, Mangalore, shared a video of himself performing Naga Dev pooja on his official Instagram account. He described the festival as a reminder of his family's faith, values, and roots.
What is Naga Panchami?
Naga Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of serpent deities, observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Shravan. It holds particular cultural importance in coastal Karnataka's Tulu Nadu region.
What film did Shilpa Shetty and Suniel Shetty appear in together?
Shilpa Shetty and Suniel Shetty appeared together in the 2000 Bollywood film Dhadkan. Both actors share a Mangalorean heritage and independently marked Naga Panchami on social media on 17 August.
