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The annual festival in honour of Ganesh or Ganapati, the elephant-headed deity who is known as the remover of obstacles and the God of Auspiciousness, the Ganapati festival, is best observed in Bombay (now Mumbai). The festival is observed for ten days, and immersions of the deity are carried out over the last twenty-four hours of the festival. Celebs are seen enjoying the fest at large scale. Here we bring up the plans of some well-known celeb for the fest.
Bhagyashree: “For the celebration of Ganesh Uttsav, we go to Sangli my hometown, the place from where I hail as a princess. We have a Ganpati Temple there. We worship and rituals are performed in the temple. The visarjan of the idol takes place with great pomp and glory with almost 200,000 to 300,000 people coming from all over. It’s a five day festival there, where there is a Maha Aarti every night followed by a cultural programs.”
Ayesha Jhulka: “I will be visiting Ganpati kept at various houses by my friends. It’s a spectacular festival honouring Lord Ganesha. This occasion becomes very lively and happy. It’s a treat to see the beautifully designed idols, so many are now eco friendly. It’s amazing to see the entire city celebrating this festival irrespective of caste, creed and religion. This celebration brings out the splendour of street life. The spirit of sharing and giving. The strength of Mumbai’s artistic traditions.”
Hanif Hilal: “Ganpanti has always been a fun occasion for me. Every year I go visiting my friends who invite me over for Ganpanti Darshan. But I have to confess that a great part of me goes to their house because of all the great food and sweets that my friends offer. Much that I love the festivity and all the fun associated with Ganpanti Visarjan. I genuinely wish and hope there’s a better way to go about it other than tenting on public roads and creating traffic snarls everywhere.”
Chandan Roy Sanyal: “I am very much excited about the Ganpati occasion this time. I haven’t plan much as of now as such. I keep visiting my friends’ houses who celebrate it. I offer my prayers there itself. I love modaks and sweets served by them. This Ganpati will bring a greater happiness in my life as with the blessings of Bappa, my movie ‘Jazbaa’ release. My own film is ready. It’s good and great Ganpati this time.”
Mahika Sharma: “Lord Vinayaka, Ganpati is the darling of the masses. Ganesh festival brings people of all religion, caste and creed together. I love to enjoy the fest visiting my friends’ house and well known temples. I am excited for the blessing as his blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as He is the one who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities. Ganpati is the herald of auspicious beginnings and is the beloved deity of all.”
Himash Kohli: “Like every year I will be welcoming Ganpati with family and close friends with loads of modaks. It will be followed with visiting friends, since a lot of my friends hold Ganpati poojas at their houses. The saddest part however will be saying goodbye! I would request everyone to celebrate an eco friendly Ganpati and may Bappa bless us all year.”
Harsh Vardhan: “I’m planning to celebrate with eco friendly Ganpati. I think everyone needs to contribute towards saving our environment and eco system. I’d be happy to do my bit. I prefer keeping it simple and more about faith. I just plan to pray with my close family and friends. Probably eat some nice poori aaloo and modaks. I am anyways looking forward to that.”
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