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- Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 LIVE Updates: Deepika Padukone, Ankita Lokhande, Sharvari and other stars begin Ganesh Chaturthi festivities
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Sep 07, 2024, 08:15:54 IST
As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities begin across the nation, Bollywood’s biggest names are bringing out the dhole, flowers and fireworks to welcome Lord Ganesha home.
This year, stars like Shilpa Shetty, Salman Khan, Ankita Lokhande and many more are bringing Ganpati idols into their homes, adding a touch of glamour and spirituality to the festival.
From Shilpa Shetty’s elegant home decor and Shah Rukh Khan's quiet celebrations with family to Salman Khan’s grand Ganeshotsav at his sister Arpita Khan Sharma's house, the celebrations are set to begin today.
Besides those bringing Bappa home, other stars are expected to add a touch of glitz and glamour to the city's famous pandals. Over the years, stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Kartik Aaryan, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, and many others are known to head out into the city and brave the long lines to offer their prayers to Lord Ganesha.
Over the years, several Bollywood stars are known to flock to visit the Lalbaugcha Raja and offer their prayers.
This year, pregnant actress Deepika Padukone and her husband, Ranveer Singh, got their celebrations off to an early start by visiting the Siddhivinayak temple on Friday, a day before the Ganpati festival to seek the lord's blessings. The actress, who is pregnant with her first child, made sure to get an early start to avoid the huge crowds.
Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure the celebrations in the city are eco-friendly, actors from Salman Khan to Raveena Tandon encouraged fans and fellow devotees to opt for eco-friendly Ganesha idols. Raveena encourages people to use organic and clay idols, instead of idols made of other materials to avoid polluting the oceans and other water bodies. Salman also emphasized the importance of using eco-friendly Ganesh idols. He made a heartfelt appeal to the audience, saying, "Sablog please eco-friendly Ganpati idols laye gharpe." This translates to "Everyone, please bring eco-friendly Ganpati idols home."
Dive into the festive fever as Bollywood’s brightest stars celebrate with fervour, joy, and a sprinkle of starry sparkle! For all the latest photos, inside videos, celebrity spottings and all the festive highlights from the homes of your favourite stars, stay tuned to this ETimes Live blog for all the timely updates.
Kamya Panjabi: Love dressing in traditional Maharashtrian attire
On Ganesh Utsav, actress Kamya Panjabi, who has been welcoming Bappa for more than 35 years, said that she loves dressing in traditional Maharashtrian attire.
“During Ganesh Chaturthi, my home turns into a temple with colorful decorations and a special energy. We dress in fresh clothes, enjoy various sweets, and my mom makes prasad. She takes care of everything, from the food to the invitations,” she said.
The actress added: “I love dressing in traditional Maharashtrian attire, including Nath (nose rings) and Veni (flower garlands). Even though I’m busy with work, I make sure to join the celebrations. Bringing Gauri Ganpati home is always exciting, and we look forward to the joy and blessings Bappa brings each year.”
The “Ishq Jabariya” actress added that for her, Ganpati Bappa is everything.
“I don’t need to ask for anything when He’s with us; just seeing Him makes all my worries go away. I always choose an eco-friendly idol, focusing on features like a big stomach, big ears, and a smiling face.”
She added: “No matter the form, I always feel His presence. The festival’s emotional connection is strong, especially when Bappa has to leave, knowing He will return next year. That’s the magic of Ganesh Chaturthi—it fills our hearts with love, hope, and peace.”
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Parents-to-be Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh visit Siddhivinayak Temple
Marking the day 1 of Ganesh Chaturthi, mom-to-be Deepika Padukone and dad-to-be Ranveer Singh on Friday evening visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple.
The couple was clicked by the shutterbugs as they entered the temple premises. They both were all smiles as they arrived at the temple to see Lord Ganesha's blessings.
Ranveer and Deepika were dressed in traditional outfits. Ranveer opted for an off-white kurta pyjama. On the other hand, Deepika wore a beautiful emerald green saree. She elevated her look with minimal makeup and a sleek bun. They were accompanied by their family members.
Deepika and Ranveer announced their pregnancy in February this year and shared that they are expecting the birth of their baby in September.
Sharvari kickstarts Ganesh Chaturthi celebration; brings ‘Gauri’ home
Bollywood diva Sharvari, who has recently returned home after the shoot of her upcoming movie 'Alpha' has shared a glimpse of ‘Gauri’ pooja ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Taking to Instagram Stories on Friday, Sharvari, who has 2.2 million followers, shared a monochrome picture in which she gave a glimpse of the Gauri pooja.
The diva, however, has not given any caption to the image. Gauri is considered an incarnation of Ma Parvati, the mother of Lord Ganesha.
However, in Maharashtra, she is revered as Ganesha's sister who visits him. Her arrival, like that of her brother, symbolises blessings of health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity.
President Murmu extends greetings on eve of Ganesh Chaturthi
President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings and best wishes to citizens of the country and abroad on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi on Friday.
"On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," President Murmu said in her message to the people.
In her message, the President further said that this festival of joy and enthusiasm gives the message of social harmony and brotherhood. "Bhagwan Ganesh is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity. This festival motivates us to be humble and dutiful and also promotes social cohesion," she added.
She also urged the citizens to pledge to collectively build a peaceful and prosperous India.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also greeted the people on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.
"I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune, holds a special place in the hearts of millions. As Vighnaharta, he inspires us to overcome challenges with courage, resolve, and resilience," VP Dhankhar said in his message.
Five Celebrities Who Regularly Visit Siddhivinayak Temple
Shilpa Shetty is well aware of Ganesh Chaturthi and Siddhivinayak Temple and she pays her visits to it quite often. She often goes to this particular temple for worship and look forward to pray for her family and a good job. There is much documented evidence of Shilpa’s devotion and worship of Lord Ganesha and it vitalizes the fact that she frequently visits Siddhivinayak temple. Her loyalty and her wishes to visit repeatedly show her firm faith as to the power of Lord Ganesha.
Deepika Padukone is also one of the celebrities who have been captured often visiting Siddhivinayak Temple . Deepika is known to have spiritual preferences; it is not a surprise that in many of her productions or important events in her life she visits temple first. As of her visits to Siddhivinayak, they are a combination of faith and thanksgiving which makes her understand that prayer can indeed open doors. Thanks to Deepika’s constant visits to the temple, a number of her admirers has also been following her example.
There are quite many people who visit Siddhivinayak Temple such as famous actor Amitabh Bachchan. Despite his tight calendar, Big B always makes it a point to go to the temple to invoke the deity, Lord Ganesha depending on the release of his movies or occasion or event. There is no secret that he is a devoted man of Lord Ganesha, and he has described the effect of the visit to temple several times. Amitabh dedicated his part which shows his religious bent of his mind which in fact is a part of his life.
Ekta Kapoor, the queen of Indian television, is a well-known devotee of Lord Ganesha. She regularly visits Siddhivinayak Temple, especially before the launch of her new shows or movies. Ekta’s belief in Lord Ganesha is a significant part of her success mantra. Her frequent visits to the temple, often accompanied by her family, demonstrate her deep-rooted faith and the importance of spiritual guidance in her life.
Ranbir Kapoor also visits the temple. Although he is a very private person, it is seen that Ranbir follow’s Lord Ganesha owing to his numerous visits during times of transition or important moments in his life. It doesn’t matter whether it is before the release of a film or when the going gets tough, Ranbir always goes to Siddhivinayak. This respected emanates his dedication to the temple and a very religious, spiritual and pious attitude towards the Lord Ganesha.
Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir,Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh: Bollywood celebrities who attended CM Eknath Shinde's Ganpati puja in 2023
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Ganpati Puja last year was a star-studded event that brought together some of Bollywood's biggest names. The festival, celebrated with great fervor in the city of Mumbai, saw a plethora of celebrities attending to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha. Ahead of Ganpati celebrations 2024, here's taking a look at the ambiance of the event last year, when it was hosted by the CM. The Ganpati celebrations on September 24, 2023, attracted a multitude of Bollywood luminaries.
Among the most anticipated attendees were Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, two of the industry's most celebrated actors. Their reunion was a highlight of the evening, as both stars posed for photos with Shinde, in traditional attire—Salman in a maroon kurta and Shah Rukh in a striking blue outfit. The event was not only a showcase of Bollywood glamour but also a demonstration of unity among the stars, as they came together to celebrate a significant cultural festival.
Shilpa Shetty's iconic Ganpati dance celebration through the years - VIDEOS
Shilpa Shetty celebrates the Ganpati festival with great enthusiasm, showcasing her love for dance and devotion to Lord Ganesha. She celebrates this festival with immense joy and commitment alongside her entire family, which includes her husband Raj Kundra, her children Viaan and Samisha, her sister Shamita, and her mother Sunanda. Each year, she welcomes Bappa home with an energetic dance and her performances have not only captivated audiences but also highlighted her evolving style and energy.
Her Ganpati dances over the years reflect her deep connection to the festival and her ability to bring joy through her performances. Each year, she not only showcases her dance skills but also her evolving fashion sense, making her a beloved figure during this cherished celebration. All her fans eagerly wait for this year's celebrations, as her journey through the Ganpati festivities illustrates an unwavering spirit of celebration, inspiring many to embrace the joy and devotion.
Raveena Tandon encourages people to use organic clay idols for Ganpati 2024
As Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 approaches, Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon has made a heartfelt appeal to the public to embrace eco-friendly practices during the festival. In a social media post, the 'Andaz Apna Apna' actress urged people to protect our planet by creating organic clay idols, a tradition followed by our Vedic ancestors. The 'KGF 2' actress shared an invite on her X account, mentioning that the Ganesh idol would be made using natural clay and that classical instruments used in South Indian temples would be played for music.
She emphasized the importance of respecting our rivers, trees, and the earth itself, stating, "Our sanatan dharm worships all, our rivers are matas, our dharti is mata, our trees are oxygen life givers; vayu, agni, apas, Prithvi, akasha."
As Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations kick off across India, Bollywood's biggest stars are embracing the festive spirit with grandeur and devotion. Celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ankita Lokhande and many others are welcoming Lord Ganesha into their homes, blending tradition with a touch of glamour. Other stars are expected to visit the city's renowned pandals, offering prayers despite long queues. Many stars, including Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, also visit iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja to offer their prayers. Pregnant Deepika Padukone and husband Ranveer Singh started their celebrations early with a visit to Siddhivinayak Temple. In an eco-conscious move, stars like Salman Khan and Raveena Tandon have urged fans to choose environmentally friendly Ganesha idols.