Dhol beats. Flower petals. Festive lights. And a joyful Nita Ambani dancing as Bappa arrived at Antilia.

That was the scene as Nita Ambani and Radhika Ambani joined the family to welcome Ganpati Bappa to their Mumbai home on September 13, a day before this year's Ganesh Chaturthi. Hindustan Times reported that Nita Ambani was seen dancing to dhol beats during the welcome, while Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani also participated in the celebrations.

The Antilia celebration may have the scale and visibility of a high-profile celebrity event, but the ritual itself is deeply familiar across India. Families welcome Ganesha into their homes, offer prayers, share sweets and spend time together before eventually bidding Bappa farewell.

So, beyond the viral visuals, this is also a story about a festival that continues to bring faith, family and celebration together.

Nita Ambani and Radhika Ambani Welcome Ganpati Bappa at Antilia

The arrival of Ganpati Bappa at Antilia marked the start of the Ambani family's 2026 festivities.

According to Hindustan Times, a large Ganesha idol was brought to the Ambani residence on September 13. Nita Ambani, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani participated in the welcome, which included rituals, dhol beats, flower petals and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”

The report also noted that Antilia was decorated with lights and flowers for the occasion. Nita Ambani was seen dancing during the welcome, adding a distinctly celebratory moment to the ceremony.

What Is Antilia Cha Raja?

The Ambani family's Ganpati celebration is popularly associated with “Antilia Cha Raja”, the name used for the family's Ganpati at their Mumbai residence.

This has become a recurring part of the family's public festival celebrations. In 2024, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant participated in the Ganpati celebrations at Antilia, with Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani and other family members joining the puja rituals, according to Hindustan Times.

The 2026 welcome by Ambani family therefore fits into a continuing family tradition rather than standing alone as a celebrity appearance.

Why Do Families Welcome Lord Ganesha Home?

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the celebration of Lord Ganesha and traditionally begins with the installation of a Ganesha idol at home or in a public pandal.

The Ministry of Culture describes Ganesh Utsav as a 10-day Hindu festival associated with the birth of Lord Ganesha.

The installation is commonly known as Ganpati Sthapana. Depending on family and regional customs, the rituals may include Prana Pratishtha, puja, aarti and offerings.

There is no single ritual sequence followed by every household. Traditions differ across regions and families.

That is important to remember when looking at a celebration like Antilia's. A grand ceremony and a simple home puja may look very different, but both can carry the same basic sentiment: welcoming Bappa with devotion.

What Happens During Ganpati Sthapana?

Before the first aarti, families usually prepare a clean and decorated space for the idol.

The idol is placed respectfully on the prepared platform or chowki. Depending on family tradition, worship may include Prana Pratishtha, offerings, prayers and aarti.

From Modak to Durva: What Is Offered to Bappa?

Ask about food associated with Ganesha and modak is likely to be one of the first answers.

TUI's 2026 festival guide notes that steamed ukadiche modak are especially associated with Maharashtra, while fruits, coconut, jaggery, flowers and Durva are also commonly linked with Ganesha worship.

The offerings can differ by region and household. What remains consistent is their role in the act of worship and hospitality.

That is also why food becomes such a memorable part of Ganpati celebrations. The festival is experienced not only through rituals but also through the sights, aromas and tastes that fill the home.

Why Do Dhols, Dancing and Chants Feature in Ganpati Celebrations?

The energy surrounding Ganpati celebrations is hard to miss.

Dhols, dancing and chants often accompany public processions and the arrival or farewell of idols. The familiar call of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” brings devotees together and gives the celebration a strong community feel.

That helps explain why the Antilia visuals stood out. Nita Ambani dancing to the dhol beats was not separate from the spirit of the occasion; it was part of the festive atmosphere reported around Bappa's arrival.

And that mix of devotion and celebration is not limited to celebrity homes.

From Antilia to Homes Across India

The Ambani family celebration attracts attention because of the family's public profile and the grandeur associated with Antilia.

But Ganpati belongs to a much wider cultural landscape.

In Mumbai, public mandals can turn neighbourhoods into large community spaces. Elsewhere, families may celebrate quietly at home with a small idol, an aarti and homemade sweets.

TUI's broader festival coverage also explores how India's festive calendar brings together cultural traditions, communities and everyday life.

The scale changes. The meaning can remain remarkably close.

The Bigger Picture Behind Antilia's Ganpati Welcome

The images from Antilia are easy to notice: Nita Ambani dancing, Radhika Ambani participating in the welcome, flower petals falling and dhols setting the pace.

But the more interesting story lies underneath those images.

A family is welcoming Ganesha into its home. Millions of other families are doing the same, each according to their own traditions, budgets and beliefs.

That is what gives Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 its enduring appeal. It can be grand or simple. It can fill a public street with music or stay within the four walls of a home.

The setting changes. The spirit remains.