The most waited time of the year for the Bengali community. Durga Puja comes with great grandeur and splendid festivity. Pandals dedicated to Goddess Durga are erected all over Mumbai which display the skilled work of artists in the intricate decors and marvellously sculpted idols.
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Shardotsava is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga. It refers to the ending days of Navratri observed as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami where intense Puja and Bhog is offered to the Goddess who visits her mother’s house. Ideally this is at Kolkata which is where this festivals gains massive importance.
The eighth day known as Maha Ashtami hold great importance as it marks the killing the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. The festival epitomises the reign of good over evil.
The last day Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra, involves immersion of the idol which signifies departure from her mother’s house. On this day, devotees participate in Sindoor Khela by applying red color on each other and thus inculcating a positive wave in the celebration by spreading love and togetherness.
The history of Durga Puja celebrations is shorter in Mumbai as compared to Kolkata. About 90 years ago a local goldsmith from Kalbadevi in south Mumbai established the city’s very first pandal. Ever since then, there have been a series of stylized pandals in the city. To bring in that essence of this festive season we take you through the most popular Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai.
Even as years have gone by, the traditions and rituals at this Durga Puja pandal, still remain the same. From the day of Maha Shashti to the evening of Dashami, the Puja here is celebrated on a grand scale. The efforts of artisans reveal their effort in the charismatic beauty of the pandals. The trust hosts to more than 25,000 devotees every year. The Puja is held at Hotel Tulip Star, Juhu and is organized by North Bombay Durga Puja Samiti which was founded by the late movie producer Sashadhar Mukherjee. B-town stars like Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Bipasha Basu, Shaan, Usha Uttup and Kavita Krishnamurthy have been performing at the venue over the years.
North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja
Picture credits: North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja / Facebook |
This Notunpalli Durgotsab Committee has come a long way since it started in Bandra around 42 years ago. The tradition of Puja here has grown magnanimously. From dance to drama the atmosphere is spiritually enhanced. A frenzy of devotees who partake in the bhog, eat with communal harmony and relish its deliciousness. On one hand the cultural amalgamation and on the other taking up social responsibility in the fields of health and education, they have flagged their presence. Celebrities of the film industry which include Asha Bhosle, Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee and more have patronized the Puja. It is behind Link road Mall (33rd Road), near Patwardhan Park, parallel to Linking Road, Bandra.
Natunpalli Sarbojonin Durgotsav
Picture credits: www.notunpallidurgotsab.org |
Found in 2006, they have been organizing Durga Puja festival at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai for the purpose of enhancing cultural and social harmony. The first Durgotsav was organized in the same year and has since emerged one of the popular Pujas in Mumbai. The pandal here serves the Bhog just like the others and serves with great enthusiasm to thousands of visitors. A high-octane cultural extravaganza with an impressive line-up of performers from across the country set the stage for this festive occasion. They have also contributed in taking care of the environment by avoiding the use of non-biodegradable and toxic materials for the Puja.
Powai Bengali Welfare Association
Picture credits: pbwa.info |
It is one of the oldest centers of meditation in Mumbai, but hosts one of the most famous Durga Pujas every year with great enthusiasm. The uniqueness of the Puja here is the traditional Kumari Puja, which has an eight year old girl dressed as Goddess Durga and is made to sit on a throne and worshipped on Ashtami. This grand festivity is done at Ramakrishna Mission Marg, 12th Road, Khar (West).
Ramkrishna Math and Mission
Picture credits: www.rkmkhar.org |
Organised by the Bengal Club of Mumbai it is famous for being one of the oldest pandals in the city. Though not among the biggest or lavish, it has rich decor and a food court which serves some mouth watering Bengali food. You can also pick traditional Bengali sarees and jewellery from here. It is located at Bengal Club, Veer Savarkar Marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar.
Shivaji Park
Picture credits: travelindia.com |
This celeb style Puja became a household name in the first year itself. It was established in 1996 and was initially started by a small number of Bengali families around Lokhandwala, Andheri. Under the stewardship of famous playback singer Abhijit Bhattacharya, the Puja has claimed unimaginable heights with its lavish preparation and keeping up with the rich Bengali tradition. The pandal here is designed by famous Art Director Bijon DasGupta with great excellence. National Awardees Amit Pal crafts the Pratima, Parimal and Nirmal Karmakar are responsible for the delicate and gorgeous Sola Decoration. The Bhog served here consists of lip smacking Bengali dishes with a different menu everyday which leave smile on the face of devotees who come here.
Lokhandwala Durga Puja
Picture credits: Lokhandwala Durga PUJA / Facebook |
Even if unity of faith is not possible, unity of love is. This festive season, break all barriers and be the bearer of peace and harmony. Happy Durgashtami!
Story compiled with inputs from Siddhi Chatterjee.
