Shilpa Shetty’s grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with Raj Kundra, Viaan and family over the years: From eco-friendly Bappa idol to dancing on dhol duing visarjan despite injury
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Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi sees Shilpa Shetty welcome Bappa into her home with immense devotion, enthusiasm and plenty of festive energy. From opting for an eco-friendly Ganesh idol to celebrating with her family and dancing during visarjan, the star has embraced the festival while also making sustainability an important part of her celebrations. Over the years, Shetty has shared several glimpses of her Ganesh Chaturthi festivities with followers, offering a peek into her family traditions and celebrations.
Adding to this, For Shilpa Shetty and her family, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi has also meant being mindful of the environment. The star, her husband Raj Kundra, and their son Viaan have followed the tradition of bringing home an eco-friendly Ganesh idol.
Meanwhile, In 2019, Shetty shared a picture with Raj and Viaan dressed in coordinated yellow traditional outfits for the festival. Alongside the picture, she wrote, “My Gannu Raja is back. The remover of obstacles and Lord of success... May he bestow us all with his blessings this Ganesh Chaturthi. I'm spiritual and celebrate all festivals, but I'm also responsible towards Mother Earth, and we have continued our tradition of having an eco-friendly Ganesha idol. Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
Notably, In conversation with Mid-Day about the decision to switch to eco-friendly idols, Shetty had explained, “As a star, we have to be responsible for our actions. One must be the change they want to see. I live on the beach, and it was a heartbreaking sight after Visarjan. The pollution it causes is massive. Hence, the decision to change 4 years ago.” The star’s choice has since become an integral part of the way her family observes the festival.
As per the latest buzz, Family remains at the heart of Shetty’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Over the years, her festive moments have featured Raj Kundra, Viaan, daughter Samisha Shetty Kundra, sister Shamita Shetty and mother Sunanda. From welcoming Bappa into their home to performing rituals and participating in visarjan, the family has often celebrated together. Shetty has also shared videos of herself dancing to festive music while encouraging her family members to join in. Her celebrations have often combined traditional rituals with the lively atmosphere associated with Mumbai’s Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
In further updates, The COVID-19 pandemic brought a quieter version of the festival for many families, and Shetty also scaled down her celebrations while following the restrictions and safety protocols in place at the time. Known for hosting larger gatherings during Ganesh Chaturthi, the star instead marked the occasion at home with her loved ones. She also shared glimpses of taking precautions while stepping out to bring home a Ganesh idol from a local artisan, including wearing a mask and gloves. Despite the circumstances, Shetty ensured that the festival remained a meaningful family occasion.
On top of that, In 2022, Shetty’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations took place soon after she suffered a leg injury while filming ‘Indian Police Force’. Despite being wheelchair-bound at the time, the star continued to participate in the festivities. Shetty, Raj, Viaan, Samisha and Shamita were seen twinning in floral-patterned shararas during the celebrations. Videos from the visarjan showed Shetty enjoying the music and dancing while seated in her wheelchair. She was also seen getting up with Shamita’s assistance to offer her prayers to Bappa, reflecting her determination to participate in the ritual despite her injury.
One of the most recognisable aspects of Shetty’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations has been the energy she brings to visarjan. Whether surrounded by family or participating in the festivities with music and dancing, the star has consistently shared a spirited side of the occasion with her followers. Her celebrations have therefore evolved over the years, from adopting environmentally conscious practices to navigating a pandemic and even celebrating while injured, while keeping devotion and family at their centre.
Source: Times of India