Shashthi, or the sixth day of Navratri, has begun and Bengalis in the city have geared up for the famous ‘pandal hopping’. To make the best of their Bengali culture while away from home during Durga Puja, the community has uniquely blended certain traditions in accordance with the city’s traffic and crowd.
When the night awakens, so does the sweet flavour Kolkata street food as if leaving a trail of savoury food in various parts of Mumbai.
The roads that are jammed during the day become a perfect path for long rides for many families at night until Dashmi, the tenth day. Surely, they must have already made their plans for next year’s ‘Pujo’.
New in the city, Progyaa Dutta, was surprised to find that most pandals in Mumbai closely followed the old Benagali traditions, while in her native town of Siliguri, the pujo has many contemporary variations, be it in the protima (idol) or the decorations.
“The simplicity in the festival in Mumbai is really noticeable especially just after shifting from Bengal. The celebrations here are in a quiet fashion and very traditional, as if stuck in time.”
Probashi Bengalis, a term that non-resident Bengalis use for themselves, prepare for the festivities months in advance. “Everyone contributes in their own ways. Some help in preparing food, the prasaad, others raise funds, help in decorations. At the Shivaji Park Bengali Club Puja, some women even learn the steps of the ‘Dhunuchi Naach’ to perform during the festivities,” said Mitali Choudhury, a Dadar resident.