Mumbai all geared up to celebrate Durga Pujo with festive fervour

The celebration of Durga Pujo is not limited to people of Bengal origin. Devotees worship Maa Durga worldwide now. Durga Pujo celebrations in Kolkata are the most popular, but Durga Pujo celebrations in Mumbai also have their charm. West Bengal’s idol makers are now busy with orders, while Bengali associations worldwide are ready to celebrate the Durga Pujo grandly. Many idols of goddess Durga are also exported abroad from Kolkata’s Kumartuli.

Your heart will be filled with joy whenever you participate in Puja. Although Maharashtra celebrates Durga Pujo as Navratri, the feelings, decorations, celebrations and vibe are the same. Durga Pujo is one of the most important festivals in India and is a 10-day event starting on the day of Mahalaya, which is on 25th September 2022. Let us see how the Bollywood city of India, i.e., Mumbai celebrates Durga Puja (or Navratri).

How is Durga Puja celebrated in Mumbai?

In Mumbai and across India, the sixth day (Sashthi-1st October 2022) marks the beginning of the festival of Durga Pujo, when the official inauguration of Pandals is done. Devotees worship Goddess Durga along with Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Shiva and their respective ‘Vahanas’ on the seventh (Saptami- 2nd October 2022), eighth (Ashtami-3rd October 2022), and ninth (Navami- 4th October 2022) day.

The tenth day of Vijaya Dashami (5th October 2022), marks the end of Durga Pujo when the idols are immersed in a river. People participate in the Visarjan with great enthusiasm. On this day, married women smear Sindoor on each other after putting Sindoor or Vermillion on the idols to ask for a blissful married life as a blessing.

Pandal hopping in Mumbai

If you are from Mumbai or are planning to visit the beautiful city of dreams during Durga Pujo this year, this is the right article for you. This article will describe the festivities and preparations for Durga Pujo across various locations in Mumbai, which are must-visit. Apart from exploring Pujo Pandals, you can also do some top sightseeing in Mumbai. You can search for family hotels in Mumbai on OYO Rooms’ official website to get the best deals during this Pujo season.

Mumbai also celebrates Durga puja on the same scale as Kolkata. There is a lot of activity in the city during this time. Here is a list of the best Durga Pujo Pandals of Mumbai enlisted only for you:-

1. Shivaji Park Durga Puja– The Bengal Club of Shivaji Park celebrates Durga Puja with great enthusiasm and devotion. This year the club will celebrate their 86th Durga puja. The idols are eco-friendly and water-soluble. According to Bengali customs and rituals, the morning puja is performed. Conch blowing competitions and Dhunuchi dance competitions are held there. This Pujo is located in Shivaji Park, Veer Savarkar Marg, Dadar (West). You can stay in family hotels in Dadar (West) like OYO 5661 Hotel AK Palace or OYO 7407 Hotel Blue Sea.

2. North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja- This puja is one of the oldest in Mumbai. It is famously known as ‘Mukherjee Durga Pujo’ as Bollywood celebrities from the Mukherjee family like Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Ayan Mukherjee, Tanisha Mukherjee, and legendary actress Tanuja spend their Pujo in this pandal every year. Pujo usually takes place at Uditi Tarang Housing Colony, Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu Tara, Mumbai. You can stay in OYO 16077 Panchavati Residency.

3. Ramakrishna Math Durga puja in Khar- The Ramakrishna Math and Mission founded this puja in 1932. As part of Maha Ashtami celebrations, they organise Kumari puja. Devotees offer Pushpanjali on the morning of Ashtami. People who love old age culture can visit this puja and become a part of this peaceful environment. You can find this pujo in Ramakrishna Math Building, Near Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, 12th Road, Santacruz West Mumbai, and stay in OYO 8685 Hotel Stayland.

4. Lokhandwala Durgotsav- The local Bengali families around the locality first started Lokhandwala puja in 1996. The primary aim was to keep their Bengali traditions alive. Nowadays, the local people call this Pujo “Abhijeet Durga puja” as the famous Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya leads this Pujo. You can find this Pujo at Lokhandwala Durga Puja Ground, Andheri (West) Mumbai and stay in OYO 11720 Gold Coast Inn or OYO 41123 Hotel Delight.

Conclusion

You can visit any of these pandals and participate in the various events organised there. Savour the bhog of authentic Khichuri and Labra. The top sightseeing spots in and around Mumbai include the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, Siddhivinayak Temple, Powai Lake, Essel World, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Elephanta Caves. You can also indulge in savouring the delicious Mumbai street food like Batata Vada, Vada Pav, Ragda-Pattice, Bhel Puri, the Bombay Sandwich and Kulfi-Falooda.