Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 14: The Bengali community in Mumbai is gearing up for the five-day Durga Puja celebrations beginning on Friday, October 16, with festivities culminating in idol immersion on Vijayadashami on October 21.

The festival begins on Shashti, the sixth day of Navratri. The monks of Ramakrishna Mission in Khar will organise their traditional Puja, featuring rituals such as Sandhi Puja and Kumari Puja.

Bengal Club at Shivaji Park unveiled the first glimpse of its Durga idol on Wednesday. The club's 91st Durga Puja will be held from October 15 to 21, with a 10,000-square-foot pandal expected to attract around eight lakh visitors during the celebrations.

Bengal Club spokesperson Joy Chakraborty said this year's theme draws a connection between the natural disaster that struck Nepal and Durga Puja, highlighting the goddess's association with nature.

“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,” Chakraborty said.

Designed by art director Rupin Suchak, the pandal will reflect nature through the use of fabric, bamboo and metal. The club will also organise bhog meals on four days, cultural programmes and Kumari Puja. Its handicraft and food stalls remain among the major attractions.

One of the city's oldest Durga Puja celebrations is organised by Bengali goldsmiths in the Kalbadevi area. Lakhmikant Das, popularly known as Lakhi Babu, of the Kalbadevi Sarvajanin Durga Puja said the Sharadiya Utsav was entering its 97th year.

“Our Sharadiya Utsav is in its 97th year. I myself have carved a tall crown for the Devi using the best materials,” he said.

The Bombay Durga Bari Samiti will also celebrate its 97-year-old Sharodotsav at Tejpal Hall in Grant Road.

The samiti's president, Partha Sen, said this year's theme is “Dharma sansthapanaya: When divine wisdom and Shakti unite to restore dharma”.

Chairperson Mitali Poddar said the celebrations would convey a message of peace amid ongoing wars.

“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,” Poddar said.

Durga Bari brings idol carvers, pandal artisans and cooks from Kolkata for its celebrations. Rabindra Sangeet performances and programmes by visiting artists will be among the other highlights.