Durga Puja tips that will make pandal hopping in Mumbai more fun

By Junisha Dama, Burrp 

“Last year I was at the Andheri Durga Puja at D N Nagar for Pushpanjali. There were AC rooms where people could sit and the organisers served us some food there. We were eating with complete strangers around and that ended up becoming an adda, we all began talking and eating together. At the end of it we were all singing songs,” says Romi Purkayasta when you ask her what her favourite memory of Pujo is.

Mumbai ’s Dura Puja pandals may not have the same charm as those in Kolkata , but it’s not hard to create the ‘adda’ when Bengalis in the city come together. To urge you to be part of one, we recommend you go pandal hopping this year and eat.

For some help and recommendations, we spoke to four food-loving Bengalis in the city.

Ananya Banerjee – Cookbook author, food stylist and acclaimed artist

There’s no restriction on eating meat, so that’s the best part. In Kolkata, everyone’s kitchens are closed because people only eat out, and you know, Bengalis live to eat.

Visit: Bengal Club – Shivaji Park as it’s one of the oldest pandals and North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja –Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu for a good crowd and experience. Eat: Mughlai Parantha (mutton keema stuffed parantha, dipped in egg and tava fried); Fish, Mutton, Vegetable Chops (Bengali cutlets); Kosha Mangsho, Kolkara-style biryani, Kolkata Kathi Rolls, Langcha/Pantua (an elongated gulab-jamun-like sweet), Best Time To Visit: Visit during the evening aarti, especially on Ashtami day [21 October>. The Shivaji Park pandal also performs Dhunuchi Naach, during the aarti. Also Go For: Kolkata saris and other weaves at the Shivaji Park pandal. For celebrity spotting and a traditional puja, the Juhu pandal offers a genuine experience. (Ananya will be pandal hopping for her YouTube channel Ananya-r Rannaghor. You can check out her video to know where else to hop to.)

Kalyan Karmakar – Food Blogger

I’m always at the Bandra pandal, because it’s like family to me. Serving food to people during the bhog connects me to my childhood, as I used to do that back in Kolkata. Visit: Notun Polli – Bandra West , near Patwardhan Park for its neighbourhood-friendly vibe and small puja. Eat: Chops and Kolkata rolls, also try to attend the bhog Best Time To Visit: Visit in the afternoon for bhog, evening for an aarti especially on Ashtami. Also Go For: Cultural programmes in the evening, every pandal will have some show.

Romi Purkayashta – Travel and Food Blogger

When I was in Australia for three years, I went to the pandals there too. Just knowning that there are other people who you share the same culture with and share similar memories with, is a great connecter. That’s what I love about the festival. Visit: Tejpal Hall – Kemps Corner for a traditional Bengali home-style puja; North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja –Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu because it’s lively even at 3am and you get restaurant-quality food; and Notun Polli –Bandra West, near Patwardhan Park because it’s small yet very massy and is like your local pooja. Eat: Mughlai Parantha. Do try the Fish Chop, it’s quite unique. Kosha Mangsho with Luchi. And if you can, try the Gurer Payesh and Baked Roshogulla. Best Time To Visit: If you’re religious, attend the early morning Sandhi Puja, which occurs in the morning. Attend a Pushpanjali on Ashtami day and do try to attend an evening aarti. Eat bhog on one of the days, it’s for free in the afternoons and its fun to sit around and eat with others. Also Go For: Classic entertainment at culture programmes in the evening. Usha Uthup, Bappi Lahiri usually perform at the Juhu pandal and it’s very well organised and these old-timers really know how to get people together. Also try and volunteer even if you’re a non-Bengali; it could be as small as getting flowers or looking after the stalls.

Suprio Bose – Food enthusiast who heads a Facebook group Mumbai Gourmet Club

I love the Bengali ‘adda’ – it essentially means to hangout. Meeting family, friends and other Bengalis and being part of the adda is the best thing about the festival. Visit: Powai Bengali Welfare Association – Powai , near Hiranandani gardens for its food stalls and North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja –Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu because it’s very well-organised and clean. Eat: Kolkata street food like Mughlai paranthas, chops and rolls and some stalls offer a full meal too. Best Time To Visit: Evenings for the aarti Also Go For: Try to be a part of any Bengali adda. I also personally recommend the bhog at Aikotan Durga Puja in Powai.

Burrp is owned by Network18 (which also owns Firstpost)