Mumbai: As the festival of Navratri enters its second weekend, the Bengali community began a leisurely spell of pandal hopping at the start of Durga Puja Friday. They admired the tall idols of the goddess, enjoyed dhunuchi dance performed with smoke-filled pots and savoured bhog meals.Mahakali Durgotsav in Andheri East is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Meenatai Thackeray (Shivai Gym) ground in Poonam Nagar.Treasurer Malay Chakraborty said, “Around 5,000 to 10,000 devotees are visiting each day. We conduct morning puja and pushpanjali followed by bhog prasad. In the evening, we have sandhya aarti and dhunuchi naach as well as cultural programmes by different artists.”The 62-year-old Kallol Kali Mandir Durgotsav in Bangur Nagar, Goregaon, has devised a “cross-cultural exposition” showing the confluence of Bengal and Maharashtra, said spokesperson Sapan Mukherjee.Secretary Sandeep Dey said the mornings are about pushpanjali and bhog prasad for about 10,000 people, while evenings draw huge crowds to dhunuchi naach and food stalls.The women-led Ananda Utsav Puja at Trento Lawns, Goregaon, displays an Art Deco theme, selfie points on Kolkata’s icons, and includes dhaak drummers.President Gargi Chattopadhyay said, “A tribute to singer Asha Bhosle, an all-women Marathi dhol show, dances based on Salil Chowdhury’s songs, and a performance by the visually challenged Udaan Entertainment Group are our highlights.” Author Bhawana Somaya performs Bharatanatyam at this venue each year.
