Mumbai: The Bengali community awaits the start of its five-day
Durga Puja Friday, Oct 16. The festival begins on Shashti, the sixth day of Navratra, and ends with idol immersion on Vijayadashami, Oct 21.
The monks of Ramakrishna Mission, Khar, will organise their traditional Pujo which includes rituals like Sandhi Puja and Kumari Puja.
Bengal Club, Shivaji Park, unveiled the first glimpse of its Devi idol Wednesday. Its 91st Durga Puja spans Oct 15-21. The 10,000 sq ft pandal will host “eight lakh visitors” through the season. Spokesperson Joy Chakraborty said, “This year’s theme correlates the natural disaster that befell Nepal with Durga Puja, because the goddess embodies Nature. Ma Durga as Prakriti is both life-giving and immensely powerful.”
Art director Rupin Suchak’s pandal reflects nature using fabric, bamboo and metal. Bengal Club will host bhog meals on four days, cultural programmes and Kumari Puja. Its handicraft and food stalls are a big draw.
Among the oldest Pujos in the city is one by the Bengali goldsmiths of the Kalbadevi sweatshops. Lakhmikant Das or Lakhi Babu of the Kalbadevi Sarvajanin Durga Puja said, “Our Sharadiya Utsav is in its 97th year.
I myself have carved a tall crown for the Devi using the best materials.”
Another 97-year-old event is Bombay Durga Bari Samiti’s Sharodotsav at Tejpal Hall, Grant Road. President Partha Sen said, “Our theme is ‘Dharma sansthapanaya: When divine wisdom and Shakti unite to restore dharma’.” Chairperson Mitali Poddar said, “Against the backdrop of war, our message is that power is not for destruction but for peace. The theme combines Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Gita with Goddess Durga’s strength as Mahishasurmardini.”
Durga Bari fetches idol carvers, pandal artisans and cooks from Kolkata. Rabindra Sangeet and shows by visiting artists are other highlights.
