Amruta Khanvilkar: Ganpati Bappa is my guru and I am his shishyaa

Every year, Amruta Khanvilkar makes it a point to visit Pune during Ganeshotsav. Her first stop - the Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati pandal. The Chandramukhi actress shares a special bond with the city and it's Ganpati celebrations. "It was back in 1994 when me and my family came to Pune from Mumbai. It was here that I started honing my stage performance skills and since then, every Ganeshotsav celebration in Pune has been special. My relationship with Bappa is that of a disciple. He is my guru and I am his shishyaa," she tells us.

While Amruta is now based in Mumbai, she comes down to Pune to seek Bappa's blessings. "Dagdusheth Ganpati is the where I start my Ganpati darshan from. This year, I have planned to visit 11 Ganpati pandals and offer my prayers to Bappa. I also took blessings at Sharda Ganesh temple (Mandai Ganpati)," shares Amruta.

However, this time the actress isn't asking for anything from Bappa. "Last year, my mother underwent a critical heart surgery and by Bappa's grace she is fit and fine now. So, this year is more about thanking him for everything that he has given us," says Amruta.