Ssujata Mehta, who has given some extraordinary performances in Pratighaat, Yateem, Kanwarlal, Pratigyabadh, Rajlakshmi, and Tyagi, to name a few, enjoys the Ganpati festival with full enthusiasm and energy, so much so that she even indulged in dancing at various Ganpati visarjan while traveling.
She said, “I don’t bring Ganpati home because it is a big responsibility, but as a child, I would visit pandals with my mother. She used to take me to places like Khetwadi, Dadar, and we never missed visiting Lalbaug. I also participated in cultural programs during Ganpati Utsav and won several prizes. I love all celebrations, and almost every Tuesday, I visit Siddhivinayak Temple, where I sit for half an hour, offer prayers, and soak in the positive vibes. The spiritual and religious atmosphere there is something I truly enjoy.”
“As a child, my mother would take us to Chowpatty to witness the Visarjan, and we would dance and celebrate with pure joy. This year, I started from the Metro Theatre in Marine Lines to Chowpatty, dancing along with all the idols on their way to the Visarjan. The rhythm of the dhol and nagada lifted my spirits, and I danced with all my heart. It gave me an incredible high, filling me with positive energy and putting me in a true festive mood,” she shared.
Ssujata was invited to various pandals and locations and planned to visit them all. However, she shared that since she has turned vegan, she can’t indulge in too many sweets like ladoos. She said, “But still enjoy the Prasad ladoos. Even at Siddhivinayak, I love the boondi ladoos, so I have just a bit as Prasad. Besides sweets like ladoos and modaks, the festive lunches and dinners when visiting friends and family are always a treat.”
She also mentioned that she feels fortunate to be living in India, where she gets to celebrate such a diverse range of festivals. She said, “I’ve been to Pune’s Dagdusheth Ganpati Mandir, and the aartis and bhajans there were so uplifting. I have also visited the Kailash Mansarovar. I have a deep affection for Mahadeva, Ganpati Bappa, Hanuman, and Krishna Ji—each of them has such beautiful, divine forms,” Ssujata shared.
