Shilpa Shetty tied the knot with long-time beau Raj Kundra at Lonavala near Mumbai on November 22 in a glittering ceremony. The occasion was attended by several Bollywood celebrities.

With the blessings of both families, the wedding took place on Sunday in which Shilpa appeared in a special costume designed by Tarun Tahiliani. The marriage was performed as per the family tradition of both that of Shilpa and Kundra’s.

The bridegroom appeared in a huge horse-driven chariot and was received by the friends and relatives. Prominent film personalities including Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Vasu Bhagnani among others were present. A galaxy of stars including the present and the past are expected to attend a reception to be thrown by the couple on Monday in Mumbai.

Godhuli lagna had specifically been chosen by her mother Sunanda and the family astrologer since it’s considered to be the most auspicious time for a wedding this year. Said a source, “The Shettys have always been and will remain an extremely superstitious family. They have always consulted astrological timings and charts before embarking on any major event.”

Shilpa married Raj yesterday in a traditional south Indian Bunt ceremony at her best friend Kiran Bawa’s bungalow in Khandala. Said a source close to Shilpa, “At around 2.30 pm, Shilpa and Raj had a traditional Mangalorean pooja, which takes place before the wedding. It was attended by both their families and close friends.” After the pooja, Raj left for Duke’s Hotel in Khandala and then arrived in a chariot at 5 pm to the wedding venue at Bawa Villa with his baraat.

After Raj entered the Bawa bungalow, Shilpa’s sister Shamita, mother Sunanda and father received him in the traditional style as they would their damaad with a tikka and thaali.

“The wedding ceremony started at 6 pm and was according to the rites of Godhuli lagna. It was over by 8 pm,” said the source.

At the wedding, Shilpa wore a traditional red and gold south Indian brocade sari designed embellished all over with ruby and Swarovski pearls. It was designed by Tarun Tahiliani. Designer-duo Shantanu-Nikhil designed a maroon and gold sherwani for Raj. Shilpa wore a kamarbandh with rubies and Swarovski crystals, while Raj wore a neckpiece with precious stones.

B-town attendance was limited. “Apart from Shilpa’s family and close friends, there were Vashu and Jackie Bhagnani (Raj has business ties with them) and Rohit and Ronit Roy (who handled the security),” said the source. Shilpa and Raj returned to Mumbai last night immediately after the wedding.

A lavish buffet comprising Hyderabadi and Awadhi dishes from Mumbai’s Foodlink restaurant was served to the guests after the wedding. The sangeet ceremony held on November 21 had Shilpa and Raj dance to Teri Ore from Singh is Kinng, while Shilpa’s family performed a skit imitating Raj’s family and danced to Aahun Aahun from Love Aaj Kal. The entire sangeet ceremony was choreographed by Ganesh Hegde. Daler Mehendi sang a few numbers too.

Shilpa had first met Raj in 2007 when she won the reality show Celebrity Big Brotherbin the UK. The couple got engaged on October 24 this year in a private ceremony in Mumbai at Raj’s Juhu flat. Shilpa and Raj are also business associates, co-owning the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals and a food chain in the UK.