Highlights
- Ganesh Chaturthi in India is being celebrated from August 22 to September 2
- Amid coronavirus, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in states are restricted
- Bollywood celebrities show how to go green this festival
New Delhi: Coronavirus crisis may have ensured low key festivities but the spirit and fervour of the 10-day Ganapati festival which got underway on august 22, remains intact. With hope and prayers that the “vighna harta” (remover of obstacles) will help tide over the worst pandemic the world has seen in 100 years, Bollywood celebrities led the way in welcoming Ganapati home. From opting for eco-friendly ganesh idols to urging people to follow COVID-19 guidelines and take all precautions to stay safe, here’s how the stars celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Here’s How You Can Celebrate The Festival In Eco-Friendly Way
Actor Riteish Deshmukh who’s known for his DIY videos on how to make eco-friendly Ganpati idols at home, decided to continue the tradition, only this time, the job was taken over by his son Riaan and Rahyl, who created an eco-friendly Ganesha idol from scratch with help OF their father. Sharing the video, Riteish Deshmukh wrote:
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi – wishing happiness and prosperity to you and your entire family. Eco-friendly Ganesha from Riaan and Rahyl.
In the video, Riaan and Rahyl are seen making paper balls out of old newspapers, which are then shaped into a Ganesha-like structure. The idol was also fine-tuned with a colouring session and voila, Ganpati idol at home was ready.
Take a look at Riteish Deshmukh’s video here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEL15iIDI-S/
Actor Rajkummar Rao also shared a glimpse of his Ganpati idol, which is made of turmeric and wheat flour. Sharing pictures of the celebrations on his social media, the actor said,
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everyone. Homemade Ganpati with wheat flour and turmeric. It’s such an amazing feeling to make our own Ganpati at home this year. Ganpati Bappa Morya! #EcoFriendlyGanpati
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everyone. Sending prayers and peace. Home made Ganpati with wheat flour and turmeric. It’s such an amazing feeling to make our own Ganpati at home this year.
Ganpati Bappa Morya#EcoFriendlyGanpati. pic.twitter.com/KnyOExk20r— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) August 22, 2020
Actor and Goodwill Ambassador UN Environment, Dia Mirza who is also one of the most vocal environment activist explaining the true meaning of visarjan said,
In a way, Visarjan reflects nature’s life cycle, while it should be one of the most eco-friendly events in India, it has become something else altogether. This Ganpati, take a moment to understand the meaning of a birth cycle, go minimal, natural and sustainable. Hope you all have joyous and safe festivities. Ganpati Bappa Morya! #HappyGaneshChaturthi #GreenGanesha #EcoCelebrations #GanpatiBappaMorya
https://www.instagram.com/p/CELhQtpjp3l/
Also Read: Cleaning Up After Ganesha – Dia Mirza From Juhu Beach
On the other hand, Actor Bhumi Pednekar via her initiative of ‘Climate Warrior’, which is an attempt to highlight the environmental crisis, climate change and initiate a dialogue with people working relentlessly to save the environment, showed her fans the work of one of the innovators, who has been working for the last five years to promote go green Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Warrior Dattadri Kothur’s creation – The Tree Ganesha is made up of red soil, organic fertiliser, natural colour and seeds – from the elements of nature and this unique idol is designed to dissolve and grow into a tree. Showcasing the story of the green warrior, the actor said,
Till today, this green warrior has sold some 10,000 tree ganeshas, which means, there are about 10,000 more trees in this world which has grown thanks to the initiative. I sincerely hope, we have more such warriors and this practice of making green ganpati idols goes a very long way.
Also Read: Climate Warrior Bhumi Pednekar Urges People To Coexist With The Mother Nature
View Bhumi Pednekar’s Post
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD-pQJIJ9wQ/
Many actors also posted festive messages for their fans and urged them to follow all necessary guidelines amid coronavirus situation. Urging people to maintain social distancing, Akshay Kumar extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings on his social media and said,
#HappyGaneshChaturthi to you and your family. Please continue maintaining social distancing, avoid inviting people home and visiting people’s homes. May our Vighnaharta help us tide over these difficult times. Ganpati Bappa Morya!
#HappyGaneshChaturthi to you and your family. Please continue maintaining social distancing, avoid inviting people home and visiting people’s homes. May our Vighnaharta help us tide over these difficult times ???? Ganpati Bappa Morya! pic.twitter.com/t92scLsf2D
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 22, 2020
Posting a throwback picture with her father from an earlier Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas extended festival greetings and said,
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year might be different from the usual but the spirit and faith will always remain the same. May this festival bring a new beginning for all of us.#HappyGaneshChaturthi.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year might be different from the usual but the spirit and faith will always remain the same.
May this festival bring a new beginning for all of us.???? #HappyGaneshChaturthi pic.twitter.com/obpuSg3VAp— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) August 22, 2020
Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene also shared a throwback Ganesh Chaturthi picture and said,
Ganpati Bappa Maurya! Bappa’s arrival will be a little different this year as we fight through the pandemic. I’m remembering moments from previous years’ celebrations with friends, family & on sets. Wish you all a very blessed #GaneshChaturthi. Celebrate responsibly & stay safe .
गणपती बाप्पा मोरया ✨
Bappa's arrival will be a little different this year as we fight through the pandemic. I'm remembering moments from previous years' celebrations with friends, family & on sets.Wish you all a very blessed #GaneshChaturthi. Celebrate responsibly & stay safe???? pic.twitter.com/jh6rSiV6sn— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) August 22, 2020
Urging people to take precautions amid the celebrations, Urmila Matondkar said,
Will miss #Ganesha darshan at #Mumbai pandals. Request to all to please take necessary precautions during this beautifully pious time against #COVID19 .#HappyGaneshChaturthi.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ????????
Will miss #Ganesha darshan at #Mumbai pandals. Request to all to please take necessary precautions during this beautifully pious time against #COVID19 ????????#HappyGaneshChaturthi #गणपती_बाप्पा_मोरया ???? pic.twitter.com/RcQlKfYxtf— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) August 22, 2020
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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