'I have been bringing Lord Ganesh to home since over 50 years. This year, I have prayed for the Lord's blessings to protect the state from terrorism, swine flu, the drought situation, and other issues confronting the people,' he said after performing 'arati' Sunday afternoon.

Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh also brought a Ganapati idol at his Worli residence where he performed the 'arati' with his wife, family members, relatives, friends and several Congress leaders.

For some, like the family of Bollywood scriptwriter Salim Khan, the day had double significance with Ramadan fasting and then worshipping Lord Ganesh at their Bandra West home, in the presence of the entire family, friends, neighbours and other Bollywood stars.

Similarly, actors Nana Patekar, Randeep Hooda, Jitendra Kapoor, Govinda Ahuja, singer Suresh Wadkar, the famed Mangeshkar family and many others from the Bollywood also brought Ganesh idols to their homes and celebrated the festival.

Commoners and celebrities thronged the various Ganesh pandals in the city and the prominent ones seen were the popular child actor Avika Gaur (Anandi of 'Balika Vadhu' fame), Tusshar Kapoor, and Prachi Desai.