Udne Ki Aasha's Radhika Vidyasagar on Ganesh Utsav, says, 'Festivals should spread joy, not chaos'

Actress Radhika Vidyasagar, who is currently seen in Udne Ki Aasha, holds Ganesh Chaturthi very close to her heart. For her, the festival is not just about rituals but about legacy, community, and carrying forward traditions with responsibility.

Having grown up in Pune, the birthplace of Ganesh Utsav, she says her childhood memories of the festival shaped her devotion and love for celebrating it with authenticity.Speaking about her personal connection, Radhika shared, "After buying my own home in Mumbai, it was my dream to bring Ganpati home. For 15 years, I welcomed Bappa for one and a half days, doing all the decorations myself with real flowers from Dadar market, making almost 100 rice flour modaks and batate vadas with my house help, and welcoming nearly 80–100 guests.

Those memories are truly special."She fondly recalls the festive spirit of Pune, where every colony and society has its own Ganpati. "In Mumbai, it was just our small nuclear family celebrating in a cosmopolitan building where not many knew about the tradition. But in Pune, every building, every lane has its own Ganpati and cultural programs. That atmosphere is unmatched," she said.Over the years, Radhika also became more conscious about eco-friendly celebrations, she says, "For the first year we brought a Shadu murti, but after seeing the state of the visarjan at Dadar, we switched to a silver-plated eco-friendly idol.

For over 15 years now, we have been following eco-friendly traditions, and I feel that is the best way forward."Reflecting on today’s celebrations, she added, "We must evolve with time. Ganpati Utsav was started by Lokmanya Tilak to bring people together, not to create traffic jams, noise, or chaos. Festivals should spread joy without affecting common people’s lives."For Radhika, the most cherished moment remains the Pratishthapana puja and the first day’s aroma of modaks, which she says fills her home with a sacred, Mangalmai atmosphere.