Akshata Murty's saree, jewellery for Diwali in UK a tribute to home state Karnataka

Akshata Murty appeared to pay tribute to her home state Karnataka as she and her family celebrated Diwali at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK Prime Minister.  The UK First Lady wore a saree and jewellery that featured the state emblem of Karnataka which is currently home to her parents Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and philanthropist Sudha Murty.

Photos shared by the official handle of UK Prime Minister and husband Rishi Sunak showed Akshata Murty draped in what many recognised as a Mysuru silk saree and a gandaberunda necklace. Gandaberunda or Bherunda is a two-headed bird in Hindu mythology and is considered a form of Lord Vishnu.

"Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty wore a Gandaberunda pendant for Deepavali this year," X user @_Avykt added. "The Gandaberunda was the official emblem of many empires that ruled south India Particularly Akshata’s home state Karnataka. Now it’s reached the house of power in Great Britain."

The First Family of the UK celebrated Diwali by lighting diyas. Rishi Sunak shared pictures of the festivities on social media and wrote, “A special moment for me to be celebrating Diwali with my family on the steps of No.10. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating here in the UK and around the world!”

The couple also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his wife and was presented with a Lord Ganesha idol and a cricket bat signed by Virat Kohli.