Film stars celebrate Durga Puja

The Bengali film stars in Mumbai jointly worshipped the deity of Durga at Balkanji Bari in Santa cruz West on Thursday. Organised by the North Bombay Sarbhajanin Durga Puja Charitable Trust (NBSDPCT), the puja was attended by Bollywood actresses Kajol, Rani Mukherjee and their families.

Huge marquees were set up and decorated traditionally to beckon the devotees this year. The set was designed by Amit Pal and was graced by a 13-feet tall Durga idol.

The film stars treat this puja as a family affair. Yesteryear actor Moushumi Chatterjee has been a part of the celebrations for the past 30 years. “This isn’t just a Mukherjee’s puja for celebrities. It’s for the working class. We do our utmost to bring all communities together. I request the new generation to be humble and inclusive of all,” said Chatterjee.
The actor said that she has been waking up early, at the crack of dawn for doing preparations for the Navratri festival.

“We take a bath at 3 in the morning and cook to make a ‘bhog’ offering. On Mahasthami, which is day after tomorrow, this idol will come to life. We chant our mantras and the idol looks for real,” she adds. Debu Mukherjee, secretary of the trust added, “This puja is a gharelu (domestic) puja. Kajol and Rani grew up here. So we don’t think they are celebrities. It’s like a house party for them.”