In the vibrant tapestry of Mumbai, where glamour seamlessly entwines with culture, the city transforms every October into a radiant haven of worship and festivity. As Navratri commences on October 15, the habitual hustle and bustle of India’s entertainment capital ramps to a fervent pace, as its residents—celebrities included—brace for the celebrations of Durga Puja. This time of the year, the city’s celebrity-favorite Durga Puja Pandals spring to life, serving as both spiritual sanctuaries and pulsating cultural hubs.
One such iconic location is the Balkanji Bari in the lively locality of Santacruz. A beacon for Mumbai’s celebrities, this Puja, organized intricately by the eminent Mukerji family, offers more than just spiritual solace. It’s a glamorous confluence where actresses like Rani Mukerji, the charismatic Kajol, and their family members including Tanuja and Tanishaa Mukerjee, partake in an array of traditional rituals. Notably, Ayan Mukerji, the visionary director, is often seen here with his sleeves rolled up, serving ‘Bhog’ to the throngs of devotees who visit in search of both blessings and glimpses of their favorite stars.
Further, in the upscale area of Juhu, the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samity stands as a magnet for Bollywood luminaries. This Pandal, a temple of opulence and devotion, regularly hosts illustrious families such as the illustrious Bachchans. Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by his family including Jaya Bachchan, turns here for worship. It’s a rendezvous revered by many, including Sushmita Sen and her daughters Renee and Alisah, alongside the respected director Anurag Basu who frequently joins the vibrant gathering.
Adding to the festal symphony of the city is the Lokhandwala Durgotsav. Orchestrated by the talented singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, this grand Pandal has seen 26 years of unmatched devotion and artistic celebration. Its allure is undeniable for celebrities who flock to partake in its colorful spectacles and fervent rituals. Here, Abhijeet himself often commands the stage, weaving his musical magic amidst the sacred proceedings.
A cherished site for the Bachchan family is the revered Ramakrishna Math and Mission on Khar Road.
. It turns into a spiritual haven as Amitabh Bachchan, along with Abhishek, Aishwarya Rai, and their lovely daughter Aaradhya, pay their respects to the divine. Their pilgrimage underscores the deep-seated religious ties that celebrities often uphold amidst their glamorous lifestyles.
Nestled in Juhu, the Puja Pandal of Biswajit Chatterjee is renowned not just for its traditional grandeur but for its warm embrace of Bollywood’s elite. The presence of the Roshan clan adds a starry layer to its ranks, with Hrithik Roshan frequently seen visiting with his esteemed father, Rakesh Roshan. The family’s photo opportunities at the Pandal are moments keenly relished by fans, blending piety with stardom.
A similar celebrity draw is Kumar Sanu’s Lokhandwala Pujo. Known formally as Kedarnath Bhattacharya, Kumar Sanu reigns over this colony-bound Puja like a cultural custodian. His involvement naturally attracts a constellation of stars who gather to savor both the soulful and social aspects of the festival.
Amidst the festive fervor, the DN Nagar Puja Pandal orchestrated by Rituparna Sengupta at Chitrakoot Gardens stands poised to honor the cherished memories of Aadesh Srivastava. A tribute, led by Vijayta Pandit through heartfelt performances, promises to conjure a profound sense of nostalgia and reverence. The Pandal is a mosaic of this magical season, drawing an illustrious crowd that includes personalities like Rupali Ganguli, the Bachchan family, Mika Singh, and Shankar Mahadevan. The air will be in rhythmic motion with traditional dhunuchi naach, embodying the fever-pitch anticipation shared by the entire community.
In a city where cinematic splendor and spiritual devotion often dance in harmony, Mumbai’s celebrity-frequented Pandals manifest more than a religious ritual. They are a convergence of tradition, celebrity allure, and communal joy, celebrating Durga Puja as a beautiful amalgamation of reverence and revelry. As stars mingle with devotees, Mumbai’s Pandals offer not just blessings but a bewitching spectacle of India’s cultural grandeur—a tradition they uphold with resplendent warmth.
