Indulge in Bengal style all-night adda, feast on sumptuous bhog, dance the dhunuchi and pray to the doe-eyed goddess. Suprita Mitter tells you how to pandal-hop like a pro
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Rooted in tradition
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Bombay Durgabadi Trust, 87th year of celebration
Bombay Durga Bari Samiti is one of the oldest Durga Pujas of Mumbai dating back to 1930. This year’s theme is based on the Bengalis saying Dhana, Dhanya, Sasya Purno Basundhra. It refers to Ma Durga being in the middle of a field, blessing all of us with sonar dhaan (golden paddy) and the fields are covered with kash flowers.
The idol atâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Tejpal Hall dressed in traditional shola work. PIC/Suresh Karkera
“The figures at the pandal are made of dhaan and the decoration is created with paddy and kash flowers found in rural Bengal,” says Sushmita Mitra, Chairperson of the Social & Cultural Committee Cultural programmes will showcase a devotional tribute to Shakti and Shiva in Classical Oddissi Dance performed by the girls of Adruta Childrens’ Home, Bhubaneshwar.
Till: October 11
At: Tejpal Hall, Gowalia Tank, Near August Kranti Maidan.
For star gazing
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, 69th year
In 1947, few Bengalis from Santa Cruz approached Padmashri Sasadhar Mukerji, requesting him to start a Durga Puja. The Pujo was first was held in Shri Mandal Hall in Santa Cruz and today , will celebrate its 69th year. Over the years, this Puja has only grown bigger.
Bappi Lahiri with son Bappa at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja
“Initially, the Bhog was served by family members with the devotees seated on the floor; today they are served on the table in an airconditioned environment,” says actress Sharbani Mukherji who spearheads the puja with musician Bappa Lahiri. The star-studded family that serves the bhog includes actresses Kajol and Rani Mukerji.
“This is my family puja. I have been coming here for ages. Myparents were regulars here too,” says composer Bappi Lahiri who will also perform in Kandivali, this year. “I also have fond memories of the Shivaji Park puja.” Cultural progammes include performances by family members, Alisha Chinai, Bappi Lahiri, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shaan and Sajid-Wajid.
Till: October 11
At: Hotel Tulip Star, VM Road, Juhu.
From Kolkata, with love
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Spadan Foundation, Powai, 4th year
This young Pujo was started four years ago by inhabitants of Powai. The idol has been made by Shri Shish Paul & Sons, a famous idol maker from Kolkata. It is designed in the traditional ekchala fashion (all the idols in the same platform).
The goddess is mounted by a craftsman at the Spadan Foundation pandal in Powai
“We are partnering with Dignity Foundation who will help senior citizens showcase their talent,” says commitee member Indranil Ghosh. Cultural programmes will include performances by an in house band, Bollywood Singer: Nakaash Aziz and Tirtho Baul, Sa Re Ga Ma fame
Till: October 11
At: 6-D, Orchard Ave Rd, MHADA Colony 19, Powai.
Take a trip to Shobhabazaar
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088New Bombay Bengali Association, 37th year
In 1980, 50 families from New Bombay got together and started this puja with a budget of Rs 1.4 lakhs. This year, the pandal recreates an eco-friendly version of the Shobhabazar Rajbari, a zamindar’s house in Kolkata. The commitee aims to feed 15,000 people at the bhog ceremony.
Last minute preparations at the New Bombay Bengali Association Puja. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
“We are expecting a footfall of over a lakh,” says Ajay Banerjee, one of the organisers of the puja. Cultural programmes will include performances by Kolkata-based dance group Banhishikha, Bollywood singers Antara Mitra and Kavita Krishnamurthy.
Till: October 11
At: Vashi sector 1, Behind Vashi market.
Recreating rural Bengal
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Chembur Durga Puja Association, 62nd year
Started in 1954, this Pandal has interesting themes every year. “This year a team of artists from Bengal will replicate a temple in rural Bengal,” says commitee member Debu Sengupta. The pandal hopes to serve bhog (a delicious serving of Khichdi (a mix of rice and lentils, Labda (mixed vegetable), Begun Bhaja (eggplant fry), Payesh (kheer) and mishti (sweet) to atleast 4,000 people.
A craftsman dresses up the idol at the Chembur pandal. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
The food stalls will serve specialities like chops and fish fry. Cultural programmes will feature Bengali artistes from Kolkata as well as local ones and will include a dance ballet by Odissi dance exponent Swapnokolpa Dasgupta and her troupe and songs by Trijoy Deb and Somchanda Bhattacharya
Till: October 11
At: Chembur High School Grounds, Chembur Naka
For nostalgia’s sake
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088The Bengal Club, 81st year
One of Mumbai’s oldest pandals, The Bengal Club’s puja has been part of sweet childhood memories for most probashi (non-resident) Bengalis in the city. Located beside the Ram Leela festivities held on Shivaji Park grounds, the pandal has always had a cosmopolitan audience. The idols are always made using eco-friendly material, like mud and special water soluble chemical free paints.
A painter gives the final touch to the idol at The Bengal Club Durga Puja, Shivaji Park. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
The tableau will be adorned in traditional décor of shola (a white coloured extract of plant Aeschynomene aspera, a herbaceous plant that grows wild in marshy waterlogged areas) and golden ornaments. The 12 feet tall idol will be dressed in a red Benarasi saree. This year, however, the puja will not host it’s customary stalls selling food, clothes, accessories, books, Bengali films and music, and neither will it serve bhog or host cultural programmes.
“Under the previous puja commitee many violations were made, due to which this year the BMC has refused us permission. We only have enough space to put up the idol. Even the entance can’t be covered due to the rules. We will be better prepared next year,” rues General Secretary Bibek Bagchi. The probashi Bengali (diaspora) will surely miss the revelry of one of its favourite pandals.
Till: October 11
At: Shivaji Park Maidan
For glitz and glamour
Organiser:âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Lokhandwala Durga Puja Association, 35th year
Known for its high glamour quotient, celebrity spotting and extravagant settings created by art director Bijon DasGupta, this Puja is one of the city’s most popular ones. The pandal also sees performances by some of Bollywood’s biggest names, every evening.
Dhakis play traditional drums at the Lokhandwala Durga Puja. Pic/Satej Shinde
Established in 1996, the puja is helmed by playback singer Abhijit Bhattacharya. Lalit Das heads the group of internationally – renowned dhakis (traditonal drum players), which is one of the highlights of the puja.
Till: October 11
At: Lokhandwala Garden, Lokhandwala Durga Puja Ground, Andheri (W).
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