Patna, June 11 (IANS): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad turned 69 on Saturday and celebrated his birthday with much fanfare at a time when his family's political fortunes are rising again.

There was mood of festivity since early morning on Saturday at the sprawling bungalow here at 10 Circular Road where the family lives. 

The house was decked up with fresh flowers.

A smiling Lalu Prasad was surrounded by family members -- his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, elder son Tej Pratap, who is the state's Health Minister, younger son Tejaswi, who is the Deputy Chief Minister, and daughter Misa Bharti, who has recently been elected to Rajya Sabha -- and dozens of RJD workers.

He cut a 69-pound cake and distributed sweets to every one who came to greet him. 

"After a gap of nearly a decade, such a celebration has taken place. It's like the period until 2005 when the RJD was in power," said a party leader.

Among the important visitors to Lalu Prasad household was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. 

Lalu Prasad told reporters here that his grandchildren had also called from different parts of the country and abroad to wish him a happy birthday.

Recalling that his birthday has been celebrated publicly since he was chief minister in the early 1990s, Lalu Prasad said he was not sure on which day he was born but June 11 was mentioned as his birth date on a school certificate.