With the festive season in full swing, Mumbai once again comes alive with the vibrant celebrations of Durga Puja. This enchanting festival, steeped in rich cultural and religious significance, draws people of all ages and backgrounds to its numerous pandals scattered across the bustling metropolis. Among these devotees, the glitter of Bollywood shines brightly, as Mumbai’s celebrity elite gather to pay homage to the goddess Durga alongside the city’s residents. Let’s take a closer look at some prominent Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai where the stars make frequent appearances, adding to the festive charm.
Balkanji Bari in Santacruz is renowned for hosting a Durga Puja that is nothing short of a spectacle. Orchestrated by the illustrious Mukerji family, this pandal has become synonymous with celebrity presence, welcoming distinguished attendees such as Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Tanuja, and Tanishaa Mukerjee. The Mukerji family is deeply involved in the rituals, infusing traditional fervor with a touch of Bollywood glamour. Ayan Mukerji, a celebrated director, is often seen engaging wholeheartedly, serving ‘Bhog’ to the multitude of devotees who gather here, further enriching their spiritual experience.
Another hotspot on the celebrity pilgrimage is the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samity in Juhu. This pandal enjoys a formidable reputation for being a congregation point for luminaries after their household celebrations. It routinely attracts not only the Mukerji clan but also international beauty queen Sushmita Sen, who visits with her daughters Renee and Alisah. Additionally, this venue has the honor of hosting the iconic Bachchan family, spearheaded by Bollywood legends Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. Movie director Anurag Basu is also frequently spotted amidst the devout crowd, lending his presence to an already sparkling roster of attendees.
In the heart of Lokhandwala, the Lokhandwala Durgotsav finds itself throbbing with energy and excitement. Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s unwavering devotion and organization of this Durga Puja for over two and a half decades have made it a celebrity magnet. Embellished with cultural performances, it often sees Abhijeet himself enthralling the audience.
. The bhajans, performances, and engaging activities create a rich tapestry that attracts the city’s film fraternity and infuses the pandal with a sense of community and togetherness.
Khar Road plays host to the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a venue imbued with sacredness for the Bachchan family. Each year, Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, and granddaughter Aaradhya, frequents this spiritual site to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga—an indication of their enduring faith and reverence.
On the landscape of Mumbai’s pandals, Biswajit Chatterjee’s Puja in Juhu stands prominently, welcoming an array of celebrities with open arms. The Roshan family’s presence, led by Hrithik Roshan and his father Rakesh Roshan, adds a sparkling touch to the festivities. Their participation, complete with photoshoots and interactions with the fans, leaves an indelible imprint on the memories of many who attend.
Few names resonate as deeply in Indian music as Kumar Sanu’s. His Lokhandwala Pujo carries his signature charm, drawing stars from all corners of Mumbai to this celebration. Held with warmth in a community colony, it sees an array of Bollywood personalities coming together in a showcase of devotion and fanfare.
Finally, in DN Nagar, Rituparna Sengupta helms an impressive Puja celebration at Chitrakoot Gardens. This year, the pandal pays homage to the late composer Aadesh Srivastava, an event graced by an emotional performance from his wife, actress Vijayta Pandit. The event is hailed for its star-studded assembly, featuring notable figures such as Rituparna Sengupta herself, Rupali Ganguli, Anurag Basu, along with the Bachchan family, Mika Singh, and Shankar Mahadevan. Not only do these celebrities enhance the celebration with their presence, but the pandal also pulsates with rhythmic performances and traditional dhunuchi naach, generating immense excitement among the community.
In Mumbai, the confluence of glamour and religious fervor during Durga Puja transforms the city into a bright tapestry of colors, sounds, and lights. For devotees and celebrity watchers alike, the city’s pandals offer a unique glimpse into how stars and commoners come together in celebration, transcending the boundaries of fame and embracing the universal spirit of festivity and devotion.
