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