Smita Jayakar: We’ll be live-streaming our Gauri pujan this year

Veteran actress

Smita Jayakar

is all geared up for Gauri pujan today, which is a 170-year-old tradition in her household. “Every member of our family and staff comes together for this celebration, and takes care of various responsibilities - right from decoration to food and other important rituals,” says the actress, who is looking forward to dressing up in traditional finery today.

Interestingly, Smita’s Gauri is an eco-friendly one. “Our Gauri is made of garden balsam leaves. This is because the leaves last for three days, and

Goddess

too comes home for three days. We put the mukhota and hands’ cast made of silver over it. Some of the jewellery pieces on the Goddess are from the time we started the pujan,” she says, adding that even the Ganesha idol in their household is unique. “My brother-in-law Rajan Jayakar installs tandalacha (rice) Ganpati; a tradition which has been going on for more than 140 years now,” says she.


Like last year, the celebration is muted this time as well due to the pandemic. She explains, “We usually have around 400 people coming over every year for the prasad. But given the current situation, it makes no sense in inviting people.Safety is of utmost importance at this juncture. For our relatives, friends and public in general, we will be streaming the Gauri pujan live on my Facebook account.”