Bollywood stars gear up for Ganpati festival

Mumbai, Sep 4: With the 10-day Ganpati festival commencing from tomorrow, several actors including Emraan Hashmi and Arjun Rampal are preparing to welcome home the God of good luck, while stars like Katrina Kaif and Daisy Shah will visit friends' places to offer prayers.

When asked how he is going to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi tomorrow, Emraan said, "We have friends and family coming over. My wife, she is a Hindu, so there is always a ritual in her house, we go and visit Ganeshji. It is all very special to us."

Actor Vivek Oberoi said he likes the traditions associated with the festival and meeting people to celebrate the occasion.

"Every year, we anxiously look forward to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi and welcome our favourite Ganesha at home. I like people coming over, do puja and be part of the joyous celebrations in honour of the divine being," he said.

Supporting environment-friendly celebration of the mega festival, actress Shilpa Shetty said, "From last year on, have made a promise to myself that I would contribute in bringing in an eco-friendly Ganpati, and I maintain that and continue to do that."

"I would request people to use eco-friendly Ganpati and also materials," she added.

Gearing up for the festive mood, Arjun Rampal said, "Ganpati is coming home tomorrow. We always bring Ganpati at home. We wish for positivity and happiness."

Television host and actor Manish Paul said he celebrates the festival perform the 'visarjan' (immersion of the idol) also at home.

"We get Ganesha every year and this year is going to be no different. All friends come to seek his blessings. It's going to be eco-friendly Ganesha and we do the visarjan at home only."

Actress Katrina Kaif said she will go over to friend's place to enjoy the festival.

"I go visiting friend's house during Ganpati, that s how I celebrate it."

When asked if she will ever get Ganpati for herself, she replied, "Yes why not, it will be wonderful."

Daisy Shah too would visit friends on the occasion.

"I will visit a few friends and relatives this Ganpati to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha. Everyday is a blessing in a way and one can ask whatever they wish to on any day. For me festivals are more about spending time with your loved ones," she said.

Bollywood stars like Salman Khan, Govinda, Nana Patekar, Riteish Deshmukh, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor among others also celebrate the Ganesh festival with traditional fervour.

PTI