Bringing home Ganesh!

He's the deity of all things auspicious. And for television stars, hectic shooting schedules notwithstanding, the Ganesh festival is a time to take a break and spend time with the rotund God of good fortune! While most production houses and channel offices have installed Ganpati idols for the 11 day celebrations beginning last weekend, several devout artistes too have continued their tradition of bringing home the God this year. Needless to say, while the Friday preceding Ganesh Chaturthi was a day packed with winding-up shoots, the weekend was spent decorating houses and preparing the special sweets that the deity is supposed to love. Kunika, who has been bringing an idol home for the last 15 years, says she fondly calls Ganesh her Motu Ram. "Whatever I have asked him, he has never turned me down," she says, settling down for the aarti with her son … "I make it a point to invite all my friends and relatives home. By now, everyone I know is aware that I have Ganeshji in my house and they all come over without fail. My maids are instructed not to let anybody go back without the Prasad," she adds. Another on screen villain who sheds the flowing wig and the vicious Apoorna tag to get ready for the Ganesh festivities is Gitanjali Tikekar. "We keep Ganpati Bappa in our Pune home where my parents stay. This practice was established 52 years ago. I am planning to take a holiday from my shoot for one day and go home to see the Visarjan. Someone has told me that He always obliges if you ask him something in his right ear before he departs. I am not going to forget that this time!" Saee Deodhar is another enthusiastic youngster who insists that she does the entire Ganpati decorations at home on her own, as also for the aartis that are conducted every day. "The entire house becomes a place of great positive vibes whenever He visits. I look forward to having Him long before Ganesh Chaturthi," she gushes. Veteran actor Kiran Kumar says the practice of having Ganpati at home started 50 years ago, when his father kept a mannat when he wanted a child. "The year I was born was the first year when we had Ganeshji in our house. Every year, we have a gala time when He is here. At times, I sit and talk to him and we have a very nice conversation!" Ram and Gautami Kapoor brought Ganesh home for just two days, but Gautami says the festival is a very emotional time for her. "Almost all friends and relatives make it a point to come home for darshan, even those who have been out of touch for some time. I can't describe it but there is something very, very lovable about Him. I haven't asked Him for a wish as yet. Maybe sometime soon!"- VL