Ganesh Chaturthi: TV actors share their memories

Hiten Tejwani aka Manav from Pavitra Rishta shares his fondest childhood memories of Ganesh Chaturthi, he says, “When we were kids it used to be a very exciting ritual to go visit Ganpati in different homes in our society. The main charm was, of course, that we got to eat sweets, especially Modak. For the celebrations there used to be a pandal with music, games and cultural performances. It was a lot of fun and I have many great memories of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Eventually we started taking responsibility of organizing these celebrations in our society. Everyone is in a very nice festive mood and I enjoy attending the rituals that take place. Visarjan, of course is a very important occasion and on our way we go dancing and take along food made in different households. And if at all it starts raining, then everyone goes into a different frenzy altogether. This year I’ll most probably be in Pune with my family for the occasion. Since the last three-four years we have been going to Lalbaugh and given a chance I would love to go again.”

Shilpa Shirodkar who plays Kamla Tai in Ek Mutthi Aasman, says, "I don’t really have a lot of memories from my childhood, as a kid I was too scared to actually go out and take the initiative to actively participate in the Visarjan. I still feel uneasy in crowds and to be very honest, any place with too many people dancing or playing with colour, scares me. So I used to sit and watch & enjoy all these shows on television. The year before last, I went for my first Visarjan at Juhu beach. So, we bring Ganpati home and we perform all the rituals. Especially during the aarti, you see a different energy in the house and that is why I feel very sad when we have to bid adieu to bappa. But it is all in the hope that next year will be even better and bigger and brighter. Three years ago I went to Lalbaugcha Raja for a special darshan at 3am in the morning. This year I wish to go and see him again because I absolutely adore him.”

For Mohit Malik aka Samrat from Doli Armanon Ki Ganpati holds a very special place in his life, he says, "I have been celebrating it with my family for years. This time too, my parents will be coming to visit me. Visarjan is the liveliest time and I remember last year I went for the Visarjan with my friends & family and we all danced, sang and had a lot of fun. This year for the first time we are bringing Ganesh ji home for five days. Till now we’ve had him over for one and a half days or three days, so I think it is going to be great. All the credit for that of course goes to my wife, she is the one who really wanted us to bring him home for five days this year. Also, if I get the time I would love visit Lalbaugcha Raja with my family.”

Usha Nadkarni aka Savita Tai from Pavitra Rishta, says, “I used to live in Grant road during the initial years of my life. I have fond memories of Sarvajanik Ganesh Visarjan that we all used to do together as a colony. It was so much fun when everyone used to sing, dance and play games like Phugdi, Jimma on the way to the Visarjan ground. After marriage, I stopped going to pandals as I used to prefer being at my brother’s place and spending some time with him rather than going out. Moreover, Ganpati is my favorite God and his blessings are with me always. I don’t feel the need to visit any pandal to be nearer to him”.

Aditya Redij as Officer from Bandhan shares, “I have many fond memories of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. I’m from Kolhapur and there we used to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on a large scale. I used to participate in the pandals of my society for which preparations used to start months in advance. From selecting the perfect idol of Ganeshji to deciding the colors and decorations, I used to play an integral part in making the whole event grand. These memories will always remain fresh in my mind. This year I’ll be having a pooja at home and if time permits I am looking forward to go visit Lalbaugcha Raja, which I haven’t had a chance to visit since I’ve been in Bombay. In Pune, when I was in college I remember going to the famous Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati on our bikes, parking 5-10kms away and then walking all the way. The kind of feeling that you get after visiting these pandals where you find spiritual presence is really amazing. This Ganesh Chaturthi is going to be very special because the kind of work I’ve been doing in Bandhan is somewhat on these lines and I feel that Ganesh ji’s blessings are always with me.”

Himanshu Soni as Shivaye from Neeli Chhatri Waale, shares, “I am originally from Jaipur and back home, for Ganesh Chaturthi, men get mehendi on their hands and the day culminates with a small Ganesh Pooja. When I first came to Bombay, I saw Ganesh Visarjan happening on television. I was amazed to see so many people religiously celebrating this festival together. I have heard a lot about Lal Bagh ka Raja and this time I am going to make sure that I take time out to visit the pandal”.