“All through my childhood, we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand manner. One of my favorite memories is making Mitti Ganapati by myself at home. My sister and I would get some clay home and to make the idol. It was so much fun, we would end up dirtying our clothes and hands as well.

Back then, we’d have only one community Ganesha idol per village. Those 11 days were the best time of my year. Everyday, we participated in the Aarti and offered Naivedyam to the lord. We’d also have singing and rangoli making competitions. Our house would be filled with guests and my mother would make different varieties of food everyday as an offering! Her Kudumulu are still my favorite! It was a time of family bonding, food and celebration, always leaving me sad when it was time to say goodbye during immersion.

I remember, once, when my sister was a child, she started crying because she couldn’t understand why Ganesha had suddenly disappeared. We convinced her saying Ganapati’s mother was missing him so he went back home to meet her and would come back next year!

When I came to Vijayawada after my marriage, I really missed those celebrations from my childhood. I knew that my kids deserve such memories too. So for the past 23 years we have been bringing Ganesha home the same way we did in our village, when I was a child. Even my daughter makes her own clay Ganesha every year and loves every bit of it. The years have changed but the traditions, celebrations and practices haven’t. After all, isn’t that what festivals are all about?”

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