Ganpati & I...Bollywood Shares Its Thoughts

Juhi Chawla : “We celebrate Ganesh Mohotsava every year. But only on the first day.This year like every year, we had a Pooja and havan at home. Our panditjis come home to conduct the poojas. And the entire family participates. But we don’t bring an idol home.” Sanjay Leela Bhansali: “This is the festive season that I love the most. Every year we bring Ganpati home for a 1 ? days. During that time my otherwise-secluded home is thrown open for guests to visit and eat as and when they like. It’s a time when I let my guards down and just go with the flow.” Urmila Matondkar: “We have Ganpati at my ancestral home in Konkan. Here in Mumbai Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated at friends’ homes. It’s a celebration of all things pure, intellectual, artistic, prosperous and the beginning of all good things in life since that is what this God is worshipped for.” Gauri Shinde: “Ganesh Mahotsav is celebrated every year at my parents’ home .The idol stays for 5 days. It’s always been a happy time with family, neighbours and friends coming together to do aarti and eat modak. There is a fun element along with spirituality in this festival. Ganpati is like a special guest who comes home for a few days.We all surround him with happiness and then miss him when he leaves.” Raveena Tandon: “I started bringing Ganpatiji home from the year when my son was born. It means a lot to me.All these years I brought Ganpatiji home, so I couldn’t go out. This year after 6 years I have a chance to visit friends for Ganesh Chaturthi. The name of Ganesha is auspicious for every new beginning.He has certainly been lucky for me.” Raj Kumar Yadav :“Yes, I am celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. I am very spiritual and religious. So for me showing my love to Ganpatiji is a very special occasion. But I do it very quietly without the hullagulla. For me this is a very personal occasion.” Tanuj Virmani :“Though it happens to be one of my favourite festivals we don’t keep Ganpati at home.But I do visit a lot of friends and family who keep Ganpati at home. During immersion it’s an annual ritual to dance on the beach with the worshippers.I’ve been doing it since childhood. And don’t forget the modak. I stuff myself with the sweet all through the festival. In fact I am at it as I speak to you.” Ronit Roy :“We have Ganpatiji for 1 ? days in our home. This is the 10th year that we’ve brought Him home. It’s a tradition that we cannot do without .” Shekhar Ravjiani : “Celebrations are always a welcome part of Ganesh Chaturthi. But this year my prayer during this festive season would be for the girl children and women of our country.I pray to Ganesha that children and women live withut the constant fear for their safety. I pray that our country can give our women the freedom and respect they deserve.” Gautam Rode: “We bring Ganpatiji home for 1 ? days. Pooja and Visarjan will be done on Tuesday. It’s a very auspicious time for us. Ganpati Bappa means happiness for us.”