Best of Durga Puja in the suburbs of Mumbai

While Mumbai prepares for Durgotsav, we shortlist some of the best places in the suburbs to head to, for Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated with oodles of enthusiasm and fervour by Bengali Hindus. This year, there is a lot to look forward to as pandals are being erected in almost every locality. Local fairs, food and game stalls will line up at these events as the community comes together to pray, dance and dine. With ‘Pandal Parikramas’, also known as pandal hopping, especially amongst the youth, we have shortlisted a few of the best places to head to.

Venue: Kallol Kali Mandir, Plot No. 91-92, Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (W)
Date: Oct 7-11

This Durga Puja is organised by the Kallol group, a social and cultural organisation. Currently into its 52nd year of celebrating Durga Puja, this year’s puja is inspired by Jamini Roy, an Indian painter who was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 1955.
The organisers have also promised that this year’s celebrations will be eco-friendly with a low level of noise, thus ensuring that inconvenience is not caused to others. Some of the events to look forward to this year include Baul Sangeet performed by noted exponent Krishna Chandra Das, Indian classical dance performances by Raul and Mitali D’souza, and Maha Ashtami performed by singers Rajeeb Chattopadhyay and Priyank Mukherjee. Additionally, renowned singer Amit Ganguly will perform with his band on Maha Navami (ninth day).
The entry to the event will be free for all visitors.

Venue: Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
Date: Oct 6-11

The Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav, organised by the Powai Bengali Welfare Association, currently runs into its 11th year. The organisers will be recreating the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a huge structure built in the memory of Swami Vivekananda, in Kanyakumari. At Powai, the Maa Durga idol will be created out of mud. Last year, the ornaments of the Goddess were also made of mud; these are called ‘Maatir Shaj’. Some of the exciting events to look out for, this year, will be R.D. Burman’s 18-member orchestra. On Ashtami (eighth day), there will be a ‘CEO Power Walk and Talk’ wherein 15 CEOs will come together to speak on women empowerment. The puja will also have an NGO corner where children from various NGOs and three adopted villages will display handmade products, which will be up for sale.

Venue: Shiv Seva Ground, Next to Gen Cariappa Flyover, Borivali (E)
Date: Oct 6-11

This Durga Puja is organised by the Sanskriti group, and is currently in its 64th year. Some of the events planned for this year include group dances and musical evenings by renowned singers Madhurima Dutta Chowdhury and Tejinder. An orchestra evening with Somchanda and Trijay Deb from Kolkata is also on the cards. The food court will be offering a wide range of authentic Bengali cuisine, from street food to desserts. There will also be a Bengali cotton saree exhibition at the event.

Venue: Vivekananda Hall, Ramakrishna Math, 12th Road, Khar (W)
Date: Oct 7-11 Time: 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Ramakrishna Math is in its 66th year of hosting Durga Puja. The puja conducted by the monastics of Ramakrishna Math dates back to 1951, keeping the ancient puja tradition alive. The puja will also be an eco-friendly one, promising to keep the noise levels within permissible limits. Among other things, classical music artists will sing devotional songs while a group of boys from the Blind Boys Academy of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Narendrapur, West Bengal, will perform to devotional songs on instruments. This is scheduled from Oct 7–9.
North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Charitable Trust organises this event every year. It is one of the most popular pujas as the bhog is served by leading actors and directors of Bollywood along with senior executives of the corporate world. LED screens will also be put up. This year, a South Indian temple has been recreated here. Rumour has it that programmes will be conducted by Alisha Chinoy, Bappi Lahiri, Kavita Krishnamurthy and others. The event is ‘by invite only’ for security purposes.

Venue: Puja ground, opposite Café Mangii, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
Date: Oct 6-11

The Spandan Powai Sharadotsav 2016 is organised by the Spandan Foundation. This year, the theme is ‘Janak Janani Utsav’, which translates to ‘celebrating our elders’. This theme has been selected for promoting a responsible behaviour towards the elders of the society. In addition to the participation from their own members, you can look forward to a show by Bollywood playback singer Nakaash Aziz, who will be performing on Ashtami night.