Ganpati Bappa Morya! The most awaited festival marking the birth of Ganesha – the God of prosperity and wisdom is here! And this year owing to the lockdown scenario, the festival will be an intimate family affair. However, this will not dampen the spirit of &TV actors – Daroga Happu Singh (Yogesh Tripathi) and Rajesh (Kamna Pathak) from Happu Ki Ultan Paltan; Anjani Mata (Sneha Wagh) from Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram; Tiwari Ji (Rohitashv Gaur) and Angoori Bhabi (Shubhangi Atre) from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, Swati (Tanvi Dogra) from Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein and Guddu (Karam Rajpal) from Gudiya Humari Sabhi Pe Bhari as they are eager to celebrate Bappa’s birthday through eco-friendly idols, bringing family and friends together in celebrations virtually as well as undertaking virtual darshans and aartis and preparing Ganpati’s favourite modaks and other special delicacies for prasad at home.
Sneha Wagh, Mata Anjani of Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram shares, “Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great fervour at home, given we are a large family and brings everyone together. Keeping in mind the rituals, the senior-most family member brings Bappa home. Although we will not be able to visit each in these celebrations, we will be connecting virtually for Bappa’s darshan with the same enthusiasm and joyfulness. We have artists in our family; we make our own Bappa idol with clay at home.”
Manmohan Tiwari from Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai played by Rohitashv Gour shares, “Every year we await the arrival of Ganpati festival and start planning the celebrations, décor and special dishes a month in advance. We always get eco-friendly Ganpati Bappa at home for five days. This year, we are not getting Bappa home and hosting guests; however, we will be resorting to virtual darshans and aartis to seek Bappa’s blessings. This Ganpati, I wish everyone good and prosperity.”
Shubhangi Atre, the Angoori Bhabi of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai shares, “I, my husband and daughter together make eco-friendly Ganpati at home with clay, rice, flowers, and we immerse it in the pond beside our farmhouse. And I encourage everyone to use materials which do not pollute the environment. This year too we will be making eco-friendly Bappa, the only change will be that we will not have too many guests on our list and limit the celebration to only family members virtually.”
Yogesh Tripathi, the Daroga Happu Singh of Happu Ki Ultan Paltan shares, “We have a small temple area at home with Ganesh idol. Every year we decorate the temple with flowers and offer modak, karanji and motichoor ladoo as bhog which is then consumed as prasad. This festival also becomes a get-together opportunity for us as we visit our friends and relatives who bring Bappa home. However, this year we will only resort to virtual darshans.”
Karam Rajpal who plays Guddu from Gudiya Humari Sabhi Pe Bhari shares, “Ganesh Chaturthi is the most awaited festival of the year for me. Visiting Ganesh pandals with friends and family is a ritual that I follow every year. This year I plan to celebrate with a twist by attending virtual aartis and celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi from the homes of my relatives and friends. Gorging on to hot steamed modaks has always been one of my favourites during the festival, but this year I plan to try my hands at making them myself. I wish for the almighty takes away all the sorrows that the world is going through and leave us with a smile on our face waiting for his arrival the next year.”
Kamna Pathak who plays Dabangg Rajesh in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan shares, “Ganesh Chaturthi is all about peace and positivity in life. I still remember when I had come to Mumbai to audition for the role of Rajesh in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, I had visited the very famous Lalbaug Cha Raja to seek blessings. Immediately post my visit the good news came flowing in that I was considered for the role. I have always believed in Bappa and he has helped me make my dream come true. Every year I would be invited by my close friends to celebrate Bappa but this year, I will miss the traditionally prepared modaks and delicious dishes at their houses. Some of my friends have organized virtual aartis, and I shall be attending those. To keep the festive spirit alive, I plan to prepare karanjis and kheer at home as prasad.”
Tanvi Dogra, Swati of Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein shares, “Since I get so busy with my routine, socializing and meeting friends becomes almost next to impossible. Visiting my friends for Ganpati Darshan becomes an opportunity to catch up on them. Also, I love pandal hopping even if that means having to stand in long queues. However, this year I will immensely miss the grand celebrations. I have received invites for Virtual darshan from my friends which I am eagerly looking forward to.”