Aparna Welcomes Ganpati Bappa

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Divya

@divya_92

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Posted: 19 years ago

Aparna welcomes Ganpati Bappa
http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2006/august/142728.htm
August 26, 2006
Hitlist - Mid-day

Aparna Tilak with husband Amod

For the last 12 years, Aparna Tilak (from SAB's Left Right Left) has been worshipping a panchdhaatu idol of Lord Ganesha. However, the actress has given up bringing home a clay idol for the last five years, making way for a metal statue instead.

"I stay near the sea face and watching the condition of the beach every year makes me sad. People throw so much garbage into the sea along with the idols that they don't realise the amount of damage they are causing to the environment," she says.

Year-long pooja

The actress now hosts the lord at her house for a period of one-and-a-half day. "We usually have the idol at my husband Amod's clinic. But during the festival, we bring it home, worship it and then take it back to the consulting room in his clinic," she says.

According to Aparna, this not only a better way to celebrate the festival but it also lets her keep the Ganesha idol with her throughout the year.

"I absolutely love the festival and stand outside my gate watching the idols going to their mandaps on the first day. In fact, I try and catch as many glimpses of the idols as I can over the 10 day celebrations. I visit the one in Parel, then the big one at Lalbaug and also stand in line to visit the one at Nana Patekar's house that has beautiful floral decorations."

Sai Baba's devotee

Recently, the actress had an experience that she can't get over. "There's a small Sai Baba temple near my house and I'm a devout follower. That day, there was buzz about Sai Baba drinking milk, so I went and tried to see if it's real. To my surprise, it actually happened. I am a believer of science, yet such things are unexplained."

Aparna and Amod are waiting to bring home their beloved Lord over the coming weekend. "I love the food, the music and everything about the festival. I can't wait to sing Ganpati Bappa Morya."