Ganesh Chaturthi is very special for Amrita Rao and husband, RJ Anmol when they introduce their son to turn to Bappa.
Like every year, actresses and their families gather to host Lord Ganesha in their residence in Mumbai.
In an exclusive chat with Times Bombay, Amrita took us through all that would make an unforgettable one and a half celebration.
Since you got married, Anmol and you have brought Bappa home during the festival.
Who leads in preparing a festival and plans other details?
Even before we get married, we will talk about bringing home Ganesha.
It was a common desire that came true in 2016 and since then, it is a celebration of one and a half days that we look forward to every year.
Among both of us, I am a person who organizes decorations and presents.
Anmol worked on at least by getting fresh flowers in the morning, preparing Diya Baatis for Aarti Thali and doing all the puja rituals with me.
This is your son’s first ganpati celebration.
How did he react to the festive atmosphere at home?
This year we were eager to introduce Veer to Ganu Bappa.
His small eyes were very excited to see all decorative disorders around the idol.
Veer was used to the concept of prayer because we had taken it to the altar every morning and night to illuminate the lights and do a small prayer.
Tell me more about how the celebration at home is opened.
Like every other festival, I see this one as an excuse to thank God and celebrate it is not just a divine family, but also family, food, gathering and overall Bonhomie in the community.
I enjoy spending time in the kitchen, busy preparing for Bhog.
I made a denture of Halwa and Sheera for candy.
But the Ukadiche mode that my mother’s chef made every special Chaturthi Ganesh.
When we brought Bappa Home, we entered the house with a high energy song Deva Shree Ganesha (Agneepath, 2012) playing in the background.
We then took him to the Puja room and started puja with parents and relatives who were present, followed by ugly lunch.
Everything we eat, including tea and snacks, is offered to Ganpati Bappa.
Farewell is the most emotional part of the celebration.
This year I prayed to God for a pandemic pandemic and freedom to live normally again.
Covid time has taught us the importance of good health and to appreciate families as before.
What are your childhood memories of ganpati celebrations? Have you ever gone to a pandal jumping across Mumbai?
I have a memory of a very special childhood to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at my grandparents’ house.
In addition to the Pujas community, the community center is used to regulate various entertainment programs and we actively participate in installing dance shows, dramas, and even fancy dress competitions.
Will visit
The GSB Community Pandal in Matunga has become a tradition of sustainable childhood.
I am very proud that Murti is environmentally friendly!
You are always vocal about celebrating festivals in an environmentally friendly way.
Personally, what steps do you and your family take during today?
To start, we maintain simple and organic decorations, most of the flowers, fruits, and puja items.
Ganpati Idol We are Murti Perak that we have used every year.
Idol is a gift for me from the school owner I visited in Delhi.
What made it special was the time of the year I received, to coincide with my wedding year and ganpati our first puja.
We did Visarjan in a bucket of water in our homes and water offered for plants.
The statue was then cleaned and kept back in a remote area of the altar just to come out next year.
I am a Pickler to celebrate the festival in an environmentally friendly way.
In 2019, I worked on the initiative, Eco Bappa Morya.
I made a five-minute film pre-awareness, where I interacted with murticar, beach activists and oceanographic scientists to understand the flipside negligence observed during the celebration.
I think the festival must be sensitive and good for babies, senior citizens, animals, birds and the environment in general.
I hope to continue with any possible efforts in the future to promote the celebration of environmentally friendly Chaturthi Ganesh.
Amrita Rao on the celebration of Ganpati 1 Veer
