A Roman Durga Puja

Plus 6 other pandals you must visit this weekend

There's a popular Bengali joke that goes What do you get when you put two Bengalis together? Answer: A Durga Puja. No wonder then that currently, there are 100 Durga Pujas in the city to help the 1.2 million Bengalis celebrate. Originally a festival of rich Zamindars, Durga Puja is now a public affair, as the Puja pandals even boast of a significant non-Bengali audience as well. In fact, Shivaji Park's Durga Puja sees a high turnout of Maharashtrians who troop in every evening with their families. And though recession may have played party pooper this time, one tradition has remained intact traditional artisans still make idols from clay obtained from the banks of the Ganges delta.



Youngest pandal on the block

Budget: Rs 30 lakh
Celeb quotient: TV actress Mouli Ganguly, singer Bappi Lahiri
Visitors expected: 5,000
The Andheri Link Road Sarbojonik Durga Puja Committee has organised their first-ever Durga Puja at Andheri.

The idol stands 22-feet high. Cultural Secretary Shomu Mitra, who is also handling the Mukherjee family Durga Pujo, says they have a packed line-up that includes performances by Saurav Ganguly's wife and Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly, Band of Boys, Bappi Lahiri, and a fusion concert by Shibani Kashyap and Mika. Celebs Akashdeep Saigal, Mouli Ganguly and Sheeba are expected. Stalls selling traditional handicrafts and sarees let you shop, while a food court serves Bengali and Chinese cuisine. Their Bhog menu varies on all days and will include traditional Khichdi, chutney, vegetables, payesh, pulav and Puri Bhaji.

At: DN Nagar ground, opposite DN Nagar Police Station, next to The Club, Andheri Link Road, Andheri (W).
Saptami Puja: 8.30 am
Arati: 7.30 pm
Bhog: 12 pm

Budget: Undisclosed
Celeb quotient: Bollywood playback singers
Visitors expected: 2 lakh
Started by playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Lokhandwala's Durga Puja celebrations have a high glamour quotient. "The Puja is entering its 14th year, and we have the best people handling every aspect, whether it's the food by Anjan Chatterjee (of Oh! Calcutta fame), or the decoration by Bollywood set designer Bijon Dasgupta," grins the singer, revealing that he will be playing the dhak (traditional drums) on all the days of the Puja.

Unlike other pandals that run on donations, this one is funded by corporate sponsorship. A lavish lunch with basmati rice Khichdi, bhajiya, fried brinjals, papad, and payesh will be served. Mineral water and fancy crockery are new additions this year. A VIP lounge will host cultural programmes that are open only to invitees.
The idol will be decorated with Dhaker Saaj, and the pandal bears a resemblance to Roman architecture.
At: Lokhandwala Gardens, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W).
Saptami Puja: 8.30 am
Arati: 7.30 pm
Bhog: 12.30 pm

Pandal for shopaholics

Budget: Rs 30 lakh
Celeb quotient: Actors Mithun Chakraborty, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee
Visitors expected: 15 lakh
The Bengal Club's celebration enters its 74th year, and this time they have a 30-feet clay idol decorated in traditional Dhaker Saaj. The 3D pandal resembles a zamindar's house surrounded by lakes and trees. Shops selling traditional handicrafts, handbags, artefacts, books and Bengali essentials (shankha and loha bangles) are up for sale. Visitors include Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Moushumi Chatterjee and Mithun Chakraborty.
At: Shivaji Park, next to statue of Shivaji, Dadar (W).
saptami puja: 8 am
Arati: 7.30 pm
Bhog: 12.30 pm



Oldest puja in city

Budget: Rs 28 lakh
Celeb quotient: Columnist Shobhaa De
Visitors expected: 6,000
The Bombay Durgabari Samiti was started 80 years ago, and during their first Puja in 1930, the idol was brought by train from Varanasi while the Puja paraphernalia was brought in from Kolkata. They boast of a large number of corporates as members. Their USP this year is the traditional decoration for the idol and the pandal. The idol is decorated with Dhaker Saaj (ornaments made from thermocol) and jari has been used to give it an ethnic look.

The funds generated are spent on the welfare of cancer patients and towards education of underprivileged children.

This year, the cultural line up includes an Odissi dance performance, a Bengali drama and song performances by Bengali Sa Re Ga Ma finalists. The idol has been crafted by Bengali artisans in Mumbai.
At: Tejpal Auditorium, Gowalia Tank, Kemps Corner, in front of August Kranti Maidan.
Saptami Puja: 9 am
Arati: 7 pm
Bhog: 12.30 pm

Puja celebration with monks

Budget: Rs 9 lakh
Celeb quotient: Shivkumar Sharma
Visitors expected: 6,000 a day
Ramakrishna Math was started in Mumbai in 1923 to spread the teachings of Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

Their Puja celebrations began in 1952 and they are known for their emphasis on the scriptural mode of worship and simplicity. Their idols are always Ekchala (all deities are fit in a single frame). The monks and 100 volunteers look after the decor.

This year, they have a traditional Dhaker Saaj decoration made by traditional artisans, and their bhog includes Khichdi made with ghee, vegetables and payesh. Cultural programmes include bhajans sung by a group of monks. Santoor player Shivkumar Sharma is expected to drop in with his family.
At: Ramakrishna Math, 12 Road, Khar (West).
Saptami Puja: 6.30 am
Arati: 7.15 pm
Bhog: 10 am

Navi Mumbai special

Budget: Rs 60 lakh
Celeb quotient: Municipal Commissioner, Police Commissioner
Visitors expected: 40,000 a day
The New Bombay Bengali Association was formed 30 years ago when the 200 Bengali families residing in Navi Mumbai township started their own Durga Puja. They are known for their unique themed pandals. Last year, it was modelled after the Calcutta Assembly Hall. This year, it resembles a rural temple in Bengal, and the idol is crafted from clay from the Ganges delta, bamboo and fabric. The funds they collect go towards the welfare of cancer patients.

"This year, the idol is 28 feet high and we are expecting around 40,000 people every day. The cultural events include a performance by singer Jojo, Anik Dhar and the Padatik ballet troupe from Bengal," says committee member Utpal Chakraborty.

They have made special arrangements for senior citizens and expecting mothers. Stalls selling rural handicrafts and sarees lie next to food counters that serve Bengali and North Indian dishes.
Their Bhog will include Khichdi, payesh, five vegetables, and chutney.
At: Netaji Subhas Chandra Kridangan, opposite New Bombay School, Sector 1, Vashi.
Saptami Puja: 9 am
Arati: 7 pm
Bhog: 1 pm

Filmy Family Tradition

Budget: Rs 50 lakh
Celeb quotient: Actress Sushmita Sen
Visitors expected: 30,000
The North Bombay Sarvojonin Durga Puja, which was started by Sashadhar Mukherjee 62 years ago, and is now organised by Rani Mukerji's family, prefers not to focus on decor or instal the grandest idol in the city. Their celebrations are characterised by a welcome atmosphere where the entire family pitches in to serve bhog themselves. Cousins Rani, Kajol and Sharbani are part of the organising team, and personally supervise the event. This year, they are offering a facility where people can offer Pushpanjali any time, instead of mornings only.

Their Bhog includes Khichdi, pakoda, bhajiya and kheer. Sushmita Sen, Bappi Lahiri, Jaya Bhattacharya and Mouli Ganguly are expected. "This year, the cultural programme is by invitation only due to security reasons, and will have a particular celebrity anchor each night. The Hema Malini Nite, Alka Yagnik Nite and Amit Kumar Nite are part of the line-up," says organiser Krishna Mukherjee.
At: Balkanji Badi, opposite of Santa Cruz Station, Juhu Road, Santacruz (W).
Saptami Puja: 9 am
Arati: 8 pm
Bhog: 1 pm

Other pujas in the city

Shakti Samanta's Durga Puja
At: Near National College, off Linking Road, Bandra (West).u00a0u00a0

Kallol Kali Temple Puja
At: Bangur Nagar, off Link Road, Goregaon (West).

Powai Durga Puja
At: Hirandani Gardens, Powai.

Kanjur Marg
Durga Puja
At: Naval Colony, near Huma Adlabs, Kanjur Marg (West).

Bhandup Durgotsav Samiti
At: Tara Singh Compound Puja, on LBS Road, Bhandup.

Chembur Durgapuja Association
At: Chembur Naka,
Chembur (East).

The Origin
It is commonly known that Durga Puja is a celebration of Goddess Durga's triumph over buffalo demon Mahishasur, but there is another reason that Bengalis worship Durga during this time. Legend goes that after saving the world, the goddess paid a visit to her parents living in the Himalayas. She brought along her children Lakshmi, Ganesh, Saraswati and Karthik as well. Durga Puja marks her homecoming.