Vignaharta on its way (Shyamlee)

Once again it's that auspicious time of the year when the welcome of Lord Ganesha will be celebrated with devotion and gaiety. It's a ten-day festival which is synonymous with modaks, pujas and the popular slogan, 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'.

And with people gearing up for this propitious occasion, our television stars are not left behind. They too join the fervor; some get involved in the Ganesha sthapana at their home, some visit cultural events and some wait to gorge the yummy prasad!

Kavita Shyam spoke to some of the Maharashtrian mulgis of the telly land about what Ganesh Mahotsava means to them and what their plans are this season.

Interesting note: A majority of them will be heading for Pune!

Niyati Joshi-
I will be going to my hometown Pune for a week where my family plans to get home Lord Ganpati. My mom prepares amazing modak and puran polis for us every year and many guests come to my place for lunch. We then attend the aarti at my friend's house in the building. I remember, when in school, my friends and I would walk down half of Pune to watch various Ganpatis and cultural programmes. Ganesh Utsav is an opportunity to catch up with all our friends and relatives and the air is filled with celebration and happiness.

Snigdha Akolkar-

This year I am busy shooting, however I will definitely go to Pune for about four days for Ganpati. Every year I visit this famous place called Dagdu Shete Halwai in Pune and perform a yagna there. Also, for ten days we'd bring Ganesha in our Pune house which is a replica of Dagdu Shete Halwai's ganpati idol (I carry a small replica of the same with me always). We eat satvik food during this period and modak is prepared at home. We also wear silk attires on the first day for the yagna. While in school days in Akola, where I used to stay with my aunt, I would hop onto my uncle's scooter and go to the market to buy Ganpati. I miss the days when we'd get the idol home and sing 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' on the way.

Sai Deodhar-
I am really excited and nervous as it's the first time that I am getting Ganpati home after my marriage. All these years it used to be at my mother's place and Shakti hasn't grown up watching all this so it'll be new for him too. I've been shopping at Vile Parle (East) since ages for Ganpati and they still treat me as a youngster in spite of having become an actor. I begin my aarti and bhajans one week before the festival and decorate the asan, mukut and the ornaments with different themes and colors. This year it is a tri-colour theme; orange, red and golden. I'll get the Ganpati home tonight for one and half days. I had to fight with my production house to give me two days off from work and once I get the idol I will be at home for two days performing the puja and the works. Honestly this festival means more to me than Diwali.

Arzoo Govitrikar-

We don't get Ganpati home but I end up going to Pune to my grand mom's place. We visit Dagdu Shete Halwai and offer our prayers. Also, we visit our aunt who keeps Ganpati for three days and thus it becomes like a family affair for us. On the last day of the festival my pals and I go to watch the Ganpati pandals all over Pune, pig out on the amazing food and watch the visarjan of the idols.

Gautami Gadgil-
We have been getting Ganpati home for the past fifty years at my mom's house. It

has been a tradition which was initiated by my grandparents and has been carried forward by my parents, eventually I see my brother doing the same. It's an occasion which brings the entire family and cousins together, considering we all lead such a busy life. My mom takes special effort with the decorations, and I help her with the flower decorations for the idol, I am her right hand. But this year she is feeling handicapped as I am unable to help her, as I've recently delivered a baby girl, Sia. But my daughter will surely attend the festivities. Ram generally comes in the evenings for the puja at home. He also participates during the visarjan, but this year I am not sure if he'll be able to make it as he will get mobbed.