Celebrating Ganesha Habba is a family legacy: Priyanka Upendra

For the Upendras, Ganesha Chaturthi is more than a festival — it’s a family tradition that has deepened with each passing generation. “Today, it’s a celebration where the whole family comes together in prayer and tradition,” says Priyanka Upendra.

“Every year, the family brings Ganesha home, performs the Ganahoma, and celebrates with close family and friends. The idol is usually kept for three or five days — this year, for five,” says Priyanka. For the past three years, the family has been celebrating the festival in their Sadashivanagar home as opposed to their family home and office in Banashankari.


“This year was particularly special because we built a small puja area on our terrace, and it was the first time we performed the rituals there. The idol was brought home by my nephew, Niranjan and my son Ayush — they chose an eco-friendly idol painted with natural colours. The children have embraced the festival with responsibility. This year, my children helped serve food and prasadam to everyone. When they were younger, it was more about the fun, but now they are actively participating in the rituals, which feels nice,” she says.