Calling Mallika Sherawat "a pure soul," Shreemad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji, the 36th and present pontiff of Shree Ramachandrapura math, made a special invitation to Mallika Sherawat to visit his new ashram in Karnataka and organized a number of special pujas in her honor.

The Shankaracharya brought a number of high priests from Kerala and Mangalore for the special occasion, which included Miss Sherawat breaking ground for the pontiff's Hanuman project at the cave the Shankaracharya says Lord Hanuman was born.

Sherawat also initiated a new Hanuman temple on the site, where the largest Hanuman monument, over 15 stories, will be built.

Miss Sherawat received the Shankaracharya's invitation while staying in Los Angeles for the post-production of her new film "Hisss" and made the trip back to India especially for the occasion, which included extensive pujas with 600 lotus flowers.

Sherawat returned the sentiment by inviting Shankaracharya to the United States during her stay there. If the pontiff accepts her invitation to visit the U.S., it would be the first time in history a Shankaracharya traveled to America.

Sherawat said, "After having spent most of my time recently in the U.S., it was a great honor for me to make a special trip back to India to meet the Shankaracharya. In a very special way it reconnected me to my Hindu roots. The experience was truly one of the best of my life and one I will never forget."