This Parsi family descends on Navsari to celebrate Ganeshotsav every year

SURAT: A Parsi family of 25 members residing in Mumbai eagerly awaits the arrival of Ganesh Chaturthi every year when they rush to Navsari to bring home Lord Ganesh.
The family of Mehrnosh Khambhatta, a 43-year-old Parsi, has been celebrating the festival with fanfare every year. "I start preparing for my Bappa since May. The artisans from Surat make ornaments using jari thread and American diamonds to adorn the idol made from clay.I have been doing this for the last nine years. My mother told me that when I was five years old I uttered Ganpati Bappa Morya and since that day I have been a devoted bhakt of Ganpati," he said.
The entire Khambhatta family has tremendous faith in Ganpati. They believe a prasad of modak to Ganpati on his lap would cure knee pain. It is because of those crossing the age of 40 years in the community complaining of persistent joint pain. Every year, Khambhatta spends a few lakh rupees in celebrating the Ganeshotsav publicly with all his family members from Navsari and Mumbai. This year's idol of Bappa is made of jari and studded with American diamonds worth Rs 1.36 lakh. What is peculiar about Ganeshotsav in Navsari's Juna Thana is that Parsis residing in the area join the Khambhattas in celebrating during the 10 days after installation. They help in cleaning, performing the puja and also the immersion celebrations.