Klum upsets Hindus with Halloween outfit

Heidi Klum has upset leading Hindus in the US by dressing up as one of the religion's most prominent figures for Halloween.

Klum arrived at a bash over the weekend in costume as Kali, who is widely worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of time and change.

"Goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism and she is meant to be worshipped in temples and not to be used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects," said Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.

"Hindus welcome Hollywood and other entertainment industries to immerse themselves in Hinduism, but they should take it seriously and respectfully, and not just use the religion for decoration or to advance their selfish agenda."

Zed added that Klum's behaviour could "hurt" devotees of the religion, adding that the faith's doctrines and concepts should not be ridiculed.