Celebrity chef and entertainer Harpal Singh Sokhi , popularly known for his culinary expertise, vibrant personality, and signature phrase, “Namak Shamak,” finds Ganesh Chaturthi to be both spiritually uplifting and personally meaningful.
Speaking about the festival’s spirit, he shared, “I shifted to Bombay about 30 years ago, and having seen the vibe of Durga Pooja in West Bengal, I can say the Ganpati festival here gives me the same energy. During those days, you see the Lord everywhere, but more importantly, you also feel Him within yourself. There is a special aura in the air—you feel energized, charged, and happier. Everyone around you seems happier too. That’s the true beauty of Ganesh Chaturthi.”
For Harpal, celebrating Bappa begins at home. “We bring Ganpati home. My mother used to arrange the entire ritual with a thali filled with flowers, modaks , and laddoos and would perform prayers every day for five days. She made us do the rituals with her, and now with my little daughter doing the same, it feels very special. I truly feel that during those days, the Lord resides in my home, in my child. As for pandals, there is something magical. Before the prayers, idols are just idols—but once the rituals begin, an aura is created, and you can actually feel the power. When I touch His feet, I personally feel that energy within me.”
Of course, no festival is complete without food, and for the chef, Ganesh Chaturthi is synonymous with modaks. “My younger daughter insists on having modaks every day, and her nani prepares special puran poli for us. We all relish them together. The traditional rice modaks stuffed with coconut and jaggery are my absolute favorite.”
But beyond food and festivities, Harpal believes Ganesh Utsav carries a deeper significance for all of Maharashtra. “There’s a certain positivity, a power that blesses everyone. What I love the most is how all communities and all castes come together to celebrate. It creates a sense of unity and joy that cannot be described—it has to be felt.”