MUMBAI: The onset of Sharadiya Navratra holds special significance for the Bengali community as it prepares to celebrate Durga Puja from October 20-24.
The monks of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) in Khar will host traditional festivities complete with Kumari Puja, where a little girl is dressed up and worshipped as the goddess. One of the oldest Pujas, organised by Durga Bari Samiti at Tejpal Hall, is in its 94th year. And the 88-year-old Puja of Bengal Club in Shivaji Park has crafted a grand Sheesh Mahal set in which 1,000 diyas will be lit to reflect the Shakti embodiment of the goddess. The Ramakrishna Mission Puja dates back to 1950. Its three-day festival is held on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. RKM‘s eight feet idol of Goddess Durga and her clan is crafted in ‘Ekchala’ style by the family of Dipankar Pal since 50 years. Kumari Puja is conducted on Ashtami day while havan is performed on Navami, said Swami Satyadevananda who heads the Khar centre. Their bhog prasad meal draws 5,000-10,000 people. On Vijayadashami day October 24, RKM’s Durga idol will be immersed in the sea off Juhu Beach.
In 1930, five founders of the Bombay Durga Bari Samiti had instituted one of Mumbai’s earliest Durga Pujas. “We have retained our traditional ‘Ghoroa’ (homely) essence. This year’s theme is ‘Ode to Folk Art’,” said president Susmita Mitra. “We will invite craftsmen from Bengal to showcase the brilliance of Potchitra art, as well as rural artisans and Baul folk singers.”
Subir Ray, chairperson of its social and cultural committee, said, “On Shashthi, a group named Prangan will enact a dance drama based on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s play ‘Chhutir Dine’. Noopur Kathak Academy will present Durga Stuti, Roop Kathak, Abhinay and Devicha Gondhal. On Saptami, we will have a sitar recital by Munmun Ghosh apart from an in-house drama based on a murder mystery. Ashtami will feature Baul Sangeet and a tribute to great Bengali composers whose melodies held sway in the Bengali and Hindi film industry. On Navami, we have a performance by Bishakh Jyoti, who is the youngest Bengali National Award winner.”
Durga Bari has awarded scholarships to 26 students of Asha Sadan this year.
Over in Shivaji Park, Bengal Club is building a grand ‘Divya Jyoti’ Sheesh Mahal with the artful use of glass and around 1,000 diyas (oil lamps). “Our 19-ft tall clay idol of the goddess is perhaps the tallest in Mumbai,” said spokesman Joy Chakraborty. “The Ministry of Tourism has recognised Bengal Club as a heritage puja where they will bring international and domestic visitors. Governor Ramesh Bais will visit on October 20 and release the souvenir.”
Bengal Club will have traditional dhakis (drum beaters), and the dhunuchi dance as all Pujas do. Kumari Puja will be performed on Navami day while bhog prasad meals will be served on three days to around 12,000 devotees. Food and handicraft stalls hawking ethnic Bengali cuisine, saris and handicrafts are a highlight.
The monks of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) in Khar will host traditional festivities complete with Kumari Puja, where a little girl is dressed up and worshipped as the goddess. One of the oldest Pujas, organised by Durga Bari Samiti at Tejpal Hall, is in its 94th year. And the 88-year-old Puja of Bengal Club in Shivaji Park has crafted a grand Sheesh Mahal set in which 1,000 diyas will be lit to reflect the Shakti embodiment of the goddess. The Ramakrishna Mission Puja dates back to 1950. Its three-day festival is held on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. RKM‘s eight feet idol of Goddess Durga and her clan is crafted in ‘Ekchala’ style by the family of Dipankar Pal since 50 years. Kumari Puja is conducted on Ashtami day while havan is performed on Navami, said Swami Satyadevananda who heads the Khar centre. Their bhog prasad meal draws 5,000-10,000 people. On Vijayadashami day October 24, RKM’s Durga idol will be immersed in the sea off Juhu Beach.
In 1930, five founders of the Bombay Durga Bari Samiti had instituted one of Mumbai’s earliest Durga Pujas. “We have retained our traditional ‘Ghoroa’ (homely) essence. This year’s theme is ‘Ode to Folk Art’,” said president Susmita Mitra. “We will invite craftsmen from Bengal to showcase the brilliance of Potchitra art, as well as rural artisans and Baul folk singers.”
Subir Ray, chairperson of its social and cultural committee, said, “On Shashthi, a group named Prangan will enact a dance drama based on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s play ‘Chhutir Dine’. Noopur Kathak Academy will present Durga Stuti, Roop Kathak, Abhinay and Devicha Gondhal. On Saptami, we will have a sitar recital by Munmun Ghosh apart from an in-house drama based on a murder mystery. Ashtami will feature Baul Sangeet and a tribute to great Bengali composers whose melodies held sway in the Bengali and Hindi film industry. On Navami, we have a performance by Bishakh Jyoti, who is the youngest Bengali National Award winner.”
Durga Bari has awarded scholarships to 26 students of Asha Sadan this year.
Over in Shivaji Park, Bengal Club is building a grand ‘Divya Jyoti’ Sheesh Mahal with the artful use of glass and around 1,000 diyas (oil lamps). “Our 19-ft tall clay idol of the goddess is perhaps the tallest in Mumbai,” said spokesman Joy Chakraborty. “The Ministry of Tourism has recognised Bengal Club as a heritage puja where they will bring international and domestic visitors. Governor Ramesh Bais will visit on October 20 and release the souvenir.”
Bengal Club will have traditional dhakis (drum beaters), and the dhunuchi dance as all Pujas do. Kumari Puja will be performed on Navami day while bhog prasad meals will be served on three days to around 12,000 devotees. Food and handicraft stalls hawking ethnic Bengali cuisine, saris and handicrafts are a highlight.
