Exclusive! Every Aspect Of The Ganpati Festival Is Special: Leisha Patidar

Leisha Patidar, known for her lifestyle and fashion content exclusively speaks to whosthat360. She has exclusively given a sneak peek into her Ganpati festivities. 

Here are a few edited excerpts from this conversation;

What makes this Ganpati celebration particularly special for you?

Ganesh Chaturthi has always held a special place in my heart. As a true Mumbaikar, this festival is woven into the fabric of our souls, and we eagerly await its arrival each year.

Photo Credit: Leisha Patidar Instagram

Can you share a cherished childhood memory with this festival that still brings a smile to your face?

From a young age, I've followed a unique ritual. Since I was about 8 or 9 years old, I would gather chocolates, decorate a plate, and offer them to Bappa. I used to believe that he might get tired of eating modaks every day, so I wanted to give him something different.

How has your connection with Ganpati evolved over the years, and what significance does it hold in your life today?

When I was younger, I would cry during visarjan because it felt like Bappa was leaving us. But as I grew older, I realized that visarjan is just a part of the festival. Ganpati never truly leaves; he remains with us always, whether it's Ganesh Chaturthi or not.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by leishapatidar🎈 (@leishapatidarrr)

Are there any family traditions or rituals that you follow during Ganpati, and what's the story behind them?

Every aspect of this festival is incredibly special to me—from planning the decorations to booking our Ganpati idol, to performing the first aarti. Only my heart and soul understand the peace and joy it brings. It's like we are living in Bappa's world, and he takes away all our negativity.