Meghna Erande-Joshi experiences a Konkan Ganeshotsav for the first time, thanks to 'Sanai Chaughade'

For actress Meghna Erande-Joshi of the Marathi entertainment world, Ganeshotsav is not just a festival but a part of her childhood memories, family traditions, and a special bond with Bappa. Her journey, which began with Ganeshotsav in the Erande family and continued through the traditions of the Joshi family after her marriage, has now, through the show 'Sanai Chaughade', extended to experiencing the Parab family's Ganeshotsav as well.

Another first for her this year is that, because of the shoot for 'Sanai Chaughade', Meghna saw a Konkan Ganeshotsav up close for the first time. She had never been to Konkan before this. Speaking about it, she said, "This year's Ganeshotsav is very special for me, because until now I used to celebrate only two Ganeshotsavs, the Erande one and the Joshi one. But from this year I will also celebrate the Parab family's Ganeshotsav."

There has been a tradition of Ganeshotsav at her parental home since her childhood. Being the youngest girl in the family, she used to be given small tasks like distributing prasad after Ganpati's arrival. After marrying into the Joshi family, she learned various responsibilities of Ganeshotsav, from cooking onwards. Now she can even perform the puja for the installation of Ganpati herself.

The show 'Sanai Chaughade' depicts Ganeshotsav from Hartalika to Gauri. "My joy has doubled because of this shoot of Ganeshotsav that took place in Konkan," Meghna said. She also said that viewers will get to see this Ganeshotsav from the show for themselves. The team's Ganeshotsav had begun from the time they were taken for the paadyapoojan of the Ganeshgalli Raja idol, which made this year's celebration even more special for her.

Meghna's bond with Ganeshotsav goes back to her childhood. At the age of seven, she gave her first public performance on the stage of a Ganesh mandal, and that journey, which began then, has now reached 38 years. This year she got the opportunity to perform the aarti for the Joshi Ganpati, the Erande Ganpati and the Parab Ganpati. She had earlier given a voiceover for Zee Marathi's programme 'Utsav Ganeshacha', but this year the moment was special for her because she got to perform the aarti along with Nivedita Saraf and Harshada Khanvilkar. "Whatever I have dreamed of is coming true for me by the blessings of Ganpati Bappa," she said, growing emotional.

Meghna finds joy in doing various household tasks during Ganeshotsav. Preparing naivedya, singing the aarti, reading stories about Ganpati, preparing for the puja and aarti, and inviting guests, she does all these tasks wholeheartedly. She also loves making modaks. During this period, relatives from both her parental and marital families visit, so there is an atmosphere of excitement at home. She also recalled playing Mangalagauri games during the Hartalika celebrations. Because she has done dubbing for 'Bal Ganesh', she knows many stories about Ganpati in Hindi, Marathi and English, and during Ganeshotsav she takes part in various programmes as well as hosts them.

Meghna says her bond with Ganpati Bappa is not just one of faith but of friendship. After the night aarti is over, she sits alone in front of Bappa for some time. "After the night aarti, I sit alone in front of Bappa for 10-15 minutes. That is when Bappa and I have our conversations," she says. She feels a sense of life in Ganpati's eyes, and because of this, the eyes of any Ganpati idol are what strike her most when she looks at it. At the time of visarjan, she becomes overwhelmed, and she eagerly awaits Bappa's arrival the following year.

Ganpati Bappa holds a special place in Meghna's life. "Swami and Bappa are my two ishta devatas," she says. Since childhood, before starting any project she says "Ganpati Bappa Morya", and her team chants the same words even while packing up a shoot. She believes that Bappa helps before a big crisis arrives, and says Bappa has brought her through many difficult situations.

She also shared a special memory from her childhood. Her neighbour, whom she called Aathavale Aaji, was the head cook at the Siddhivinayak temple, and she used to bring Meghna a gajra of Siddhivinayak flowers and a modak from the prasad every day. Because of this, from the first standard to the tenth standard, she went to school every day wearing a Siddhivinayak gajra in her hair, and her tiffin box too would have Siddhivinayak's prasad in it. This memory remains just as special to her even today.

Since her marriage in 2010, she has not had the chance to visit Lalbaugcha Raja for darshan, but this year she wishes to go for the darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja with the 'Sanai Chaughade' team. Every year since 2010, she makes it a point to take her daughter for the darshan of the Ganpati idols in Powai. She also says that darshan of Ganpati gives her new energy and vigour. "My bond with Bappa is a different, innocent, pure friendship, and it will always remain so. Ganpati Bappa Morya!" she said, expressing her faith in Bappa.